How do I unblock my ear after having a cold?
Plugged ears are usually a mild, temporary problem — most commonly due to allergies or a cold. Often, no treatment is needed. However, if symptoms are severe or last for an extended period, you may want to have the problem evaluated by a doctor. The eustachian tubes connect your middle ears to the back of your nose. The air pressure in your middle ear usually is the same as that in your outer ear. When you swallow or yawn, your eustachian tubes normally open and allow air to flow into or out of your middle ear, equalizing the pressure. If your eustachian tube is obstructed (eustachian tube dysfunction), the air pressure in your middle ear can’t be equalized with the pressure in your outer ear. When this happens, your eardrum can’t vibrate normally, so sounds are muffled. You may also have ear pain. Symptoms typically last from a few hours to several weeks — depending on the cause — and usually go away without treatment. When needed, treatment is directed at getting air to flow into the
