Take a sip of water or swallow hard. Sometimes that’s all it takes to open the tubes.
– never forcefully blow your nose with both nostrils pinched shut. That can push mucus into your ears and make things worse (or cause an infection). how to pop ears when you have a cold
Soak a washcloth in warm (not hot) water, wring it out, and hold it against your blocked ear for 30–60 seconds. The heat can help relax tension and promote drainage. Take a sip of water or swallow hard
Take a sip of water, then pinch your nose and swallow at the same time. This is much safer than the Valsalva (forcefully blowing out while pinching your nose) when you have a cold. That can push mucus into your ears and
Save this for your next cold (or share it with someone who needs to hear it – literally).
You know the feeling: your nose is running, your head is heavy, and your ears feel like they’re stuffed with cotton. That happens because a cold can swell your Eustachian tubes (the tiny passageways between your middle ear and throat), trapping fluid or air.
A deep, exaggerated yawn stretches the muscles around your Eustachian tubes. Fake it till you make it.