Try to be gentle as you do this—the Valsalva maneuver doesn’t need to be forced.
You can also try the Lowry technique—this is a combination of the Toynbee and Valsalva maneuver, and involves both swallowing and exhaling while holding your nose.
You’ll know when pressure rebalances—not only will you hear and feel a pop, but you’ll also hear more clearly than you did when your ears were clogged.
You can also chew gum to prevent your ears from becoming stuffed up.
Drinking lots of water on a flight helps keep your nasal mucus from getting too thick (which makes your Eustachian tubes more likely to get blocked up).
Words like cake, cop, cold, carrot, and kid can also help you make that hard “k” sound.
If you’re preparing for an upcoming flight, take or use the OTC decongestants about a half hour before boarding your flight. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Try to use nasal sprays sparingly; if you use them too often, they can actually create more congestion. Thankfully, decongestant pills don’t carry this risk. [11] X Research source
You’ll still need to pop your ears if you wear earplugs, but your ears may feel a little more comfortable overall.
Your doctor can check and see if you have an infection that’s causing a blocked Eustachian tube. If you do not have an infection, your doctor can guide you in the right direction as to what to do next. Allergies, inflammation, or even Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) can possibly cause your ears to not pop.
