Anyone can get hit with the Eustachian tube blockage – children or adults nobody is safe. It can start from mild discomfort to severe pain.

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. With the help of these tubes, the ears drain fluid easily. The air pressure is maintained in the ears at the right level with Eustachian tubes.

So when do you need to perform Eustachian tube massage?

The Role of the Eustachian Tube

The Eustachian tube naturally;

• Balances air pressure in the middle ear while maintaining it equally with the air pressure outside the body
• Protects the inner ear from nasal secretions
• Drains middle ear secretions into the area between the nasal cavity and upper throat

Yes, you are right, I am talking about congestion – a typical medical approach is to treat symptoms, for instance, with antibiotics or decongestants. A holistic approach uses natural medicines as well as Eustachian Tube Massage (ETM). With this, you can ease congestion and the ache it causes by extending the soft tissue that lines the tube. It also helps in reducing pressure and promoting the fluid release from the tube.  

Are you familiar with how to drain Eustachian tube massage? Eustachian tube massage is easy to do, and you can perform on yourself or for a child.

The Process of Eustachian Tube Massage

First Step:

• At first, wash your hands – with the help of your middle/index finger feel behind the ear lobe for a bony bump. Apply firm and steady pressure sliding down your finger until it slips into a groove between the ear lobe and the jaw. 

Second Step:

• With your finger, follow that groove down the neck and with some steady pressure sliding down until you reach the collar bone.

Third Step:

• Tilting your head to the shoulder opposite the ear that is being massaged might be helpful for a child or small adult. For instance, if Eustachian tube massage is performing on the left side, then tilt head to the right side.

Last Step:

• Repeat three to four times per side around three times a day.

What causes blocked Eustachian tubes?

Eustachian tubes might get blocked due to swelling from a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection. With this, the pressure changes and fluid may gather in the middle ear. This pressure and fluid can turn into pain. You may experience ear pain from changes in pressure when you are in an airplane, scuba diving, driving up or down mountains. Sometimes, fluid in the air can turn into an infection, and young children are more prone to ear infections. It happens because the Eustachian tubes of young children are shorter and can be blocked more easily as compared to the tubes in the children and adults. 

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Symptoms

So what are the symptoms of blocked tubes?

Blocked Eustachian tubes might show the following symptoms:

Are you aware of the Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms? If not, let me help you out to figure out the exact signs of clogged Eustachian tube.

Whether it is from cold, allergy, or infection, swelling will not allow Eustachian tubes from opening and letting air to pass. It results in pressure changes and sometimes the accumulation of fluid in the ear. Whenever it happens, you will feel like:

• Pain in your ears, or a feeling of “fullness” in the ear
• Ringing or popping sounds and sensations that don’t come from the outside surroundings
• Trouble hearing properly
• Children may define popping as a tickling sensation
• Dizziness and trouble keeping balance
• When altitude changes, the symptoms might also get worsen – for instance, while flying, riding an elevator, or hiking, driving through mountainous areas

How to Drain Eustachian Tube Naturally

Once you understand the symptoms of Eustachian tube congestion, you need to find out the quick how to drain Eustachian tube naturally. Well, there are a few home remedies to heal Eustachian tube pain.  

Typically, people find it easy to drain Eustachian tube at home for clogged ears.

Excess Earwax

Earwax is produced naturally in the ears, and the natural motions of the body, including chewing and speaking will generally help guide earwax out of the ear canal. Sometimes a person starts producing excessive earwax; at that time, home remedies include:

. Softening the Wax

Earwax might be too hard and packed to leave the ear canal naturally. When it happens, a few drops of baby oil, glycerin, or mineral oil can help. Put 2-3 drops in the ear, and it may help to soften the wax so it can escape more easily.  

. Ear Syringing

Ear syringing can follow the step mentioned above (softening the wax). You need to buy a syringing kit from your local store or else see your doctor. After passing 15 to 30 minutes of putting drops to soften the wax, you can use the syringing kit to put water into the ear. The water should be room temperature to evade dizziness.

You should never use ear syringing if you have a hole in your eardrum or have ear tubes. It can let the water deeper into the ear canal.   

Airplane Ear

If the ears become painful or clogged because of airplane pressure changes, the following steps might be helpful for you:

. Valsalva maneuver

With the help of this, the pressure gets re-adjusted in the ears. To start maneuver, you need to take a deep breath, press the nostrils shut, close their mouth, and try to blow against the pinched nostrils. The breath does not have to be excessively forceful for this technique to work.

Passive Techniques

With the help of these tricks, you can drain Eustachian tubes that are in the ear and reduce the Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms.

Passive techniques include:

. Earplugs

For those who experience airplane ear, some earplugs are marketed. Special filters are used in these devices that are designed to promote airflow and equalize pressure in the ears. However, no significant evidence is recorded that shows the effectiveness of this device. According to anecdotal reports, earplugs can work.   

. Decongestants

To heal Eustachian tube congestion, you must take a decongestant before flying. It may help in reducing swelling of the mucous membranes that can place further pressure on the ears. An airplane’s descent is the most typical time of ear pressure. The University of California, Berkley recommend taking an oral decongestant an hour before takeoff and another dose an hour before the plane’s drop for an elongated flight.  

Swimmer’s Ear

If you keep the ear clean and dry, it can help reduce the clogged feeling that happens with swimmer’s ear. It is an infection of the ear canal. You can use a number of measures to “dry” the eardrum and prevent infection. Home remedy for the clogged ear is below:

. Cleaning Alcohol or Alcohol and Vinegar

A few drops of cleaning alcohol or a blend of one part alcohol and one part vinegar can help dry out the ears.

Sweet Oil for Ear Congestion

You can even use sweet oil for ear congestion, as it is also one of the best answers of how to clear congestion home remedy.

. Earwax Removal

Medically earwax is referred to as “cerumen.” Production of earwax is a natural and necessary function. Earwax protects your ears from water, infection, and bacteria. It also keeps the ear canal soft. With the natural jaw movements linked with eating and talking, excessive earwax can be removed automatically.   

Commercial Preparations

If you are not familiar with Eustachian tube dysfunction natural treatment, you can follow the above methods or commercial preparations method.  

To remove water from the ears, a number of drugstores sell packages eardrops that are specifically designed for this purpose. Eardrops should not be used if someone has a hole in the eardrum.

Furthermore, you can even use a hairdryer or dry the ears gently with a towel after exposure to water. During swimming or bathing, you can utilize the earplugs as it can help reduce the risk of water entering deep into the canal.    

How can Blocked Tubes Diagnose?

If all or more than two symptoms (mentioned above) appear than you need to consult your doctor. Or if you are already familiar with the procedure of Eustachian tube massage then apply it three times a day.   

When to See a Doctor

As there are different causes of clogged Eustachian tube, there are different treatments exist. It is best to see a doctor if you have tried a couple of tricks mentioned above to drain Eustachian tubes. You must not rely fully on the home remedies as it can dangerously harm your ears.

You should see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• A fever higher than 101°F in an adult
• Mild to sharp ear pain
• Ear pain that is worsening
• Waste from the ear that is bloody or stuffed with pus
• Changes in hearing
• Worst dizziness that does not get better

Your doctor will most probably ask about the following queries:

• The symptoms of the ear that you have experienced
• Any OTC treatments performed
• What makes the symptoms worse or better?

With the help of otoscope, the doctor will start examining the ear. This device can insert into the ear easily and let the doctor see the eardrum inside the ear canal. You might be prescribed an antibiotic if you have an infection in the ear.

Final Thoughts

Eustachian tube massage is easy to do but try to avoid doing it if you are not familiar with it. Although, no expertise required for the massage, however, exact moves and proper knowledge is mandatory to do this massage.

Besides Perform Eustachian Tube Massage, you can make your physique ultra smart with a Beginner Workout At Home Plan.