Suggestions o how to unblock blocked ears

If you have a cold as well it usually makes it worse, if they havent worked you might just have to wait for it to go on its own. Once I had one ear blocked for a week after a flight ?

Otex ear drops are what you need. I think that's what they are called anyway. They always work for me.

If they are blocked because of your cold, I'm not sure there is much you can do apart from wait, but I could be wrong with that

However, if you think it is wax related, I can comment as I recently had a very blocked ear. I recommend slightly warm olive oil down the ear at least twice a day, preferably more. Keep your head tilted for as long as you can. The oil will soften the wax and either it will come out of its own accord or can be syringed/sucked out by your gp or local drop in centre.

They won't do anything until they are happy its soft enough as protocols have recently changed regarding syringing. They really don't like doing it at all. I managed to get mine suctioned 2 weeks later, but by then they were pretty much clear! ?

You have my sympathy. Blocked ears are horrible horrible horrible.

I had the exact problem after christmas when flying back to Denmark. I'd got a cold over christmas so on the flight back my ears got blocked. The pain on the descent was excrutiating and I was in tears by the time we landed and basically deaf. I was a bit better the next morning but I still had very blocked ears.

I went to the pharmacy and they gave me a nose spray for conjestion as the pharmacist thought that was probably the same reason for my blocked ears. It did help the first few times, but I must admit that my ears remained blocked for a few weeks after but they did clear. You have my sympathy.

I second this. I had a wax-related blocked ear a good few years ago and made the mistake of using Otex ear drops, which made it twice as bad. I saw a nurse who syringed my ear and told me that they see countless people who have had problems using Otex and always recommend using plain old olive oil instead.

Not sure this is going to help your particular ear-related issue, but wanted to second a handy tip!

If you use the olive oil method only use a very small drop - I used too much once and hurt like hell. A small drop is the way to go though.

If it's cold related I would do what someone (sorry can't see who) suggested earlier - use nasal decongestion. I get a blocked ear from time to time and GP gave it a name (which I can't remember) but basically decongestants were the way forward (well that and living in a hot, dry country apparently, but that's unfortunately not an option!)

Menthol crystals , small amount in a cup & inhale.

Cabin Crew give these to passengers to ease ear discomfort.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I used a vicks inhyler (the type you shove up your nose) all thorugh the flight to avoid sinus pain I've had it a few times and fooking hurts like hell, I also always take sinutab just after take-off to avoid it. This time I got sudafed decongestant because of the cold so I shall take another tablet before bed and dous my pillow with obas oil and hope I wake up with cleared ears. If not I will try the olive oil trick in the morning.

Thanks again much appreciated

I wouldn't take Sudafed before bed - the active ingredient acts a bit like adrenaline so you might have trouble sleeping. Otrivine nasal spray might work, and/or do a steam inhalation.

Don't put cotton buds in your ears though - it's veeeery bad!

Is the olive oil thing not just an urban myth/old wives tale? if not, what exactly does it do and how does it help?

Ear wax will be soluble in olive oil. Whether the oil gets the chance to actually dissolve much of it I'm not sure but the warmth and movement probably helps.

The olive oil isn't a myth. It's what we suggest people do when they come into A&E with it. It softens the wax, which will then eventually come out of it's own accord, or will come out with ease if syringing is needed.

Another suggestion is anti-histamine, I had a blocked ear for about 10 days after a cold, the A-hs really helped.

Thats really interesting, thanks both.

Thanks for that heads up. I've got some lemsip night capsules, so I'll take that instead.

THough as far as I am aware the vicks inhaler sticks, olbas oil and stuff does bugger all, except make you aware that some air is getting up you rnose, so you feel *slightly* better, despite being just as bunged as before.

I think the menthol does make the mucous membranes shrink (as does steam) so it does help. The otrivine type nasal sprays work as well. I think it's the Sudafed that has the question mark - it works in the short term but when it wears off you can end up with more congestion than before.