Here are some foolproof methods on how to make your ears pop:
1. Yawn
Yawning helps to open the Eustachian tube. As it is very hard to yawn on cue, you could try doing a fake yawn, which will have the same effect.
Try yawning as much as you possibly can in order to relieve the pressure.
2. Swallow
Swallowing helps to activate the muscles that open the eustachian tube.
3. Frenzel maneuvre
With your mouth closed and your nose pinched, try making âkâ sounds with your tongue. You can also try clicking.
4. Valsalva maneuvre
To do the Valsalva maneuvre, pinch your nostrils shut with your fingers. While doing this, try to keep your cheeks neutral, or pulled in, rather than puffed out.
Then, blow air gently through your nostrils. This creates pressure in the back of the nose, which may help open the Eustachian tube.
Be very cautious while performing the Valsava maneuvre because there is a small risk of rupturing the eardrum
5. Toynbee maneuvre
This is one of the most common methods of popping ears. For the Toynbee maneuvre, pinch your nostrils shut with your fingers while swallowing. This should open the Eustachian tube.
Having a mouthful of water may make doing the Toynbee maneuvre a little easier.
6. Apply a warm washcloth
Holding a warm washcloth or covered heating pad against the ear can help eliminate congestion and open the eustachian tube.
The warm washcloth method is most effective if you have clogged ears due to a cold, the flu, or allergies.
7. Use nasal decongestants
Nasal decongestants unclog your nasal passageways, which can help with clogged ears.
8. Use nasal corticosteroids
Nasal corticosteroids reduce the amount of inflammation in your nasal passages, which can help air move more freely through the eustachian tube, equalizing the pressure in your ears.
9. Use ventilation tubes - surgical procedure
Can a doctor pop your ears? Yes. In extreme cases, you may have to use a surgical technique to eliminate pain and reduce pressure.
During the procedure, the doctor will insert thin ventilation tubes in one or both of your ears to drain out excess fluid.
10. Try using some special devices
The devices you can use to relieve this condition are:
- Special earplugs - They may help regulate the flow of air from the surrounding into the ear.
- Otovent and similar devices: Otovent is an Autoinflation device which uses a specially pressurised balloon to open the eustachian tubes. It is also used to treat ear discomfort during flights. The device mimics the motions used in the Valsava maneuvre.
- EarPopper: This prescription device can also help to open your eustachian tubes.
Here are some other techniques on how to get your ears to pop:
- Chewing gum: Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, hence increasing swallowing. The chewing motion may also help to open your eustachian tubes.
- Sucking on hard candy: This also stimulates saliva production, hence increasing swallowing.
If you try all these methods on how to get ears to pop and nothing happens, then please visit a doctor so they can examine you and find out what the real problem is.
