To unpop your ears, you can try a few techniques, including swallowing, yawning, or performing the Valsalva maneuver
. Methods to unpop your ears:
- Swallowing Swallowing activates the muscles that open the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nose, helping to equalize pressure
. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy can stimulate swallowing
- Yawning Yawning also helps to open the Eustachian tubes
. If you can't yawn on cue, try a fake yawn by opening your mouth wide while breathing in and out
- Valsalva Maneuver Pinch your nostrils closed, close your mouth, and gently blow air through your nose
. This creates pressure in the back of the nose, which can help open the Eustachian tube
. Be careful not to blow too hard
- Toynbee Maneuver Pinch your nostrils closed while swallowing. You may want to try both the Toynbee and Valsalva maneuvers to determine which method works best for you
- Ear Hook and Pull Pinch your earlobe and quickly hook and pull it to the side and upwards. Repeat this motion rapidly 10 to 15 times
- Wiggling Motion Grab your earlobe and wiggle it back and forth while wiggling your jaw at the same time
- Flexing Your Jaw Flexing the muscles behind your jaw may help open the Eustachian tube and release pressure
