When your ears are clogged, desperation can lead to bad decisions. Avoid the following:

Popping your ears is a satisfying relief, but it requires patience. Start with a yawn or a drink of water, and only move to the manual techniques (pinching the nose) if necessary. If you treat your ears gently, that muffled world will sound crisp and clear again in no time.

If natural movements don't work, try these specialized techniques often used by divers and pilots. Always be gentle to avoid damaging your eardrum. The Valsalva Maneuver

A deep, wide yawn (even a fake one) creates enough muscle movement to release built-up pressure.

The sensation of needing to “pop” your ears—feeling fullness, muffled hearing, or slight pain—occurs when the Eustachian tubes fail to equalize pressure between your middle ear and the outside environment. This is common during altitude changes (flying, driving mountains), scuba diving, or with congestion from a cold or allergies.

If you’ve tried gentle techniques for 24–48 hours (especially after a flight) and still have:

, which connect your middle ear to the back of your throat. When these tubes open, air can flow into your middle ear to balance the pressure against the outside environment. Gentler, Natural Methods Try these first, as they rely on natural muscle movements to open the tubes. Swallowing: Sipping water or swallowing saliva activates the muscles that naturally open the tubes. Yawning: A wide, deep yawn—even a forced one—stretches the surrounding tissues to help air flow in. Chewing Gum or Hard Candy: The continuous jaw movement and saliva production encourage frequent swallowing. Jaw Wiggling: Moving your jaw side-to-side or pushing it forward and down (as if starting a yawn) can pull the tubes open. Specialized Maneuvers If natural movements aren't enough, you can use these more deliberate techniques.