How to Treat Inflammation of the Inner Ear or Eustachian tubes?

The eustachian tubes (tympanic tubes) are small tubes located inside the head that connect the middle ear to the nasopharynx. ^{[1] X Sources of Study} The eustachian tube can be blocked by colds or allergies. In more serious cases, an otolaryngologist should be consulted. However, for mild to moderate cases, you can treat yourself at home with folk remedies, over-the-counter medications, and prescribed methods.

Table of Contents

Treatment of blocked eustachian tubes at home

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Recognize the symptoms. Whether it’s due to a cold, allergies, or an infection, the chili pepper tube will impede the flow of air when it’s swollen. As a result, pressure changes and sometimes fluid collects inside the ear. If that happens, you will see the following signs: ^{[2] X Research Source}

Ear pain or a “stuffy” feeling in the ear.
The ringing or popping sound in the ear is not from the outside environment.
Children may describe this sound as feeling “tick”. ^{[3] X Trusted Source FamilyDoctor.org Go to Source}
Doesn’t sound clear.
Dizziness and difficulty keeping balance.
Symptoms are aggravated by sudden changes in altitude — such as when flying, taking an elevator, climbing/driving to high mountains.

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Twist jaw. This is a very simple trick known as the first technique of the Edmonds maneuver. You just need to bring your jaw forward, then, twist your jaw back and forth, side to side. ^{[4] X Source of Study} If the eustachian tube is only mildly blocked, this will open the Chili-slap tube and return to normal air circulation.

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Perform the Valsalva maneuver. ^{[5] X Source of Research} This therapy is based on trying to push air through blockages in order to re-establish airflow. When you try to blow through the stuffy stuff, the air pressure in your body is affected. The sudden outflow of air as you exhale changes your heart rate and blood pressure rapidly, so you need to do it gently. ^{[6] X Research Sources}^{[7] X Research Sources}

Take a deep breath, then hold your breath, close your mouth, close your nose. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
Try to blow air out through the closed nose.
If the therapy works, you’ll hear a “pop” in your ears, and your symptoms will ease.

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Perform the Toynbee maneuver. ^{[9] X Sources of Study} Similar to the Valsalva maneuver, the Toynbee maneuver also clears blocked eustachian tubes. However, instead of the patient being asked to control the air pressure by breathing, the doctor would ask them to swallow. The test was conducted as follows: ^{[10] X Research source}

Squeeze your nose.
Take a sip of water.
Swallow down.
Repeat this process until you hear a “pop” sound that feels like your ears have reopened.

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Blow bubbles with your nose. It sounds silly at first, but this action is the Otovent maneuver, which is very effective at equalizing the air pressure in the ear. Buy an “Otovent ball” online or in major drugstores. In fact, this device is just an ordinary balloon with a nozzle that fits into our nostrils. ^{[11] X Research Source} If you can find a hose or hose that is the right size for your bubble mouth and nostrils, you can make your own Otovent balloon at home.

Insert the nozzle into one nostril and close the other nostril with your finger. ^{[12] X Research Source}
Try to inflate the balloon with your nose until it reaches the size of a fist.
Repeat this process with the other side of the nose. Do this alternately, continuously, until you hear a “poc” sound, which indicates that the air has cleared in the Chili-slapping tube.

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Swallow down while holding your nose. ^{[13] X Research Source} This is called the Lowery test, and it’s not as simple as you might think. Before you swallow, you must create an air pressure inside your body by squeezing air like you do when you defecate. While holding your breath and holding your nose tightly, you will feel like you are blowing air through clogged nozzles. Some people find it very difficult to swallow in such conditions because the pressure in the body is high. Be patient and try to continue. With enough practice, this maneuver will unclog your tubes.

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Apply a heating pad or warm cloth to the ear. This will both help relieve the pain you may be experiencing and treat the blockage. The moderate temperature of warm compresses can break the blockage and unclog the eustachian tube. ^{[14] X Research Source} If using a heating pad, you should put a cloth between the heating pad and the skin to avoid burns.

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Use a decongestant. ^{[15] X Research Source} Ear drops will not clear the blockage because the ear canal is currently blocked. The ears and nose are connected through tubes, so the use of nasal sprays is an effective way to treat tubal obstruction. Insert the nasal spray into the nostril so that the nasal dropper is facing the back of the throat and the bottle is roughly perpendicular to the face. When spraying the medicine into the nose, you need to inhale just enough for the medicine to go down the back of the throat, do not inhale too hard; otherwise, the medicine will slip down or be pushed back into the mouth.

After using the nasal spray, perform one of the tests described above. This is the most appropriate and effective time to perform these tests.

Go to the doctor

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Recommended to be prescribed a nasal spray. ^{[17] X Source of Research} Although over-the-counter nasal sprays can be used to treat congestion, you’ll see significant results with prescription decongestants. If your symptoms are caused by allergies, ask your doctor if he or she can prescribe steroids and/or antihistamine nasal sprays to solve the problem.

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Take antibiotics if you have an ear infection. Although blocked tubes are usually harmless and short-lived, it can lead to an ear infection, causing pain and disorientation. ^{[18] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} If your congestion gets that far, see your doctor for an antibiotic prescription. You probably won’t be prescribed antibiotics unless you have a fever of 39°C or more within 48 hours.

Use exactly as directed. Even if your symptoms improve while on antibiotics, you should still complete the full course of prescribed antibiotics.

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Talk to your doctor about eardrum surgery. In some cases of obstruction, the doctor will recommend surgery to establish airflow to the middle ear. There are two types of surgery, in which the eardrum incision is faster. The doctor will make an incision in the ear drum (tympanic membrane), then drain the fluid that has accumulated in the middle ear. You should expect the incision to heal slowly. Why? This may sound counterintuitive, but if the cut is left open long enough, the swollen part of the chili pepper tube will be able to collapse back to normal. If the incision heals quickly (within three days), fluid is likely to accumulate in the middle ear and symptoms will return.

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Consider placing a pressure equalization tube. This surgical method has a higher success rate, however, it is a lengthy process. As with the eardrum incision, the doctor will make an incision in the ear drum and drain the accumulated fluid. The doctor will then insert a small tube into the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear. When the eardrum heals, the tube is automatically pushed out, however, this process takes six months to a year. This method is recommended for patients with chronic tubal blockage, so you should talk to your doctor carefully before making a decision.

Absolutely do not allow water to enter the ear while the pressure equalization tube is installed. Insert cotton balls or earplugs into your ears when showering and use specialized earplugs if swimming.
If water passes through the duct and seeps into the middle ear, you may have an ear infection.

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Treat the underlying cause. Blockage of the eustachian tube is often the result of a number of diseases that cause mucus and tissue swelling, which interferes with the normal passage of air. The most common causes of tissue swelling and mucus buildup in this area include colds, flu, sinus infections, and allergies. ^{[19] X Trusted Source FamilyDoctor.org Go to the source} Don’t let these health conditions progress to inner ear problems. Get medical attention for colds and flu as soon as possible, as soon as the first symptoms appear. Talk to your doctor about how to take care of yourself to prevent recurring conditions like sinusitis and allergies.

Advice

If you know you have an infection in your ear, you should not use ear cleaning products. These solutions can cause infection and they are not really necessary because the inside of your ear is fluid, not earwax.
When you have an earache, you should not lie with your head on the shoulder.
Add an extra pillow when lying down. This will help drain the fluid and make it less uncomfortable while you sleep.
Use a warm beverage (such as tea) in place of cold water.
Try taking a few papaya tablets (only chewable ones) in your mouth. Papain – the main ingredient in green papaya – is a very good expectorant. You can also use fenugreek.
For pain caused by ear congestion, ask your doctor to prescribe pain relievers. You can also take other over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen sodium for pain relief.
Wear a hat with ear flaps to keep your ears and head warm. This helps to clear the fluid.
Try Vicks vapor drop sinus drops. This medicine makes it easier for your ears to clear.

Warning

If you’ve been using over-the-counter nasal sprays for a few days with no effect, stop and consult your doctor. If it doesn’t work and you continue to use it, the congestion will get even worse.
Avoid spraying your ears with a nasal wash or an ear candle. These products have not been certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as safe to use in cases of ear congestion.
Do not go LONG when you have problems with the pressure balance in the eustachian tube! The pressure imbalance causes “pressure on the ear” and this is very painful. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Steps

Treatment of blocked eustachian tubes at home

Go to the doctor

Advice

Warning

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