The Valsalva maneuver is a technique that is used to correct the pressure in the ears by blowing hard while keeping the nose and mouth closed with the hands. This is a technique that should be used to forcibly correct pressure imbalances if the normal, natural technique of swallowing or chewing is not effective. If this maneuver is not effective at clearing out the pressure imbalance then there is a possibility that the tube that connects your nose and middle ear is blocked.
Pressure imbalances in the ear occur because one part of the ear faces the outside atmospheric pressure and one end is inside the body. If there were no mechanism to correct the pressure in the two parts then the result would be diminished hearing and possible damage to ear because of a stagnant pressure in one end of the ear. This can lead to ear damage, so the years of evolution have given human beings a method of ensuring that the pressure in the middle ear and the atmospheric pressure can be equalized. The problems with this mechanism occur because the ears, nose and throat are all connected. The connection from the ears to the nose and throat, the two of which form the upper respiratory tract, is through a thin tube called the Eustachian tube. Normally, this tube can open a bit wider than when it is in its state of rest by the action of moving the jaw. In simple terms, when you chew, the action opens up the tube and pressure is equalized. Problems begin when the nose is infected or when there is heavy mucus secretion that blocks the Eustachian tube. When we do not pay attention to colds and sinus infections, the infected mucus can find its way into this tube and block the pressure flow. Further, this can also end up infecting the ear. To summarize the problem, you need to clear the congestion in your nose and Eustachian tube to correct this problem.
The advice of steam inhalation is indeed a good one except that you should be inhaling the steam and not directing it to your ear. When steam is inhaled, the steam condenses on the thick mucus of the nose and fills it with moisture. This loosens it up and it follows the pull of gravity and comes down to your mouth or nose where you can then get rid of it. A natural decongestant is ginger, which can be consumed in tea and drunk hot. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties that will stop any mucus secretion and will provide you a lot of relief.
answered by G M