Is there an immediate way to clear middle ear blockage?

Answer 1

Try the divers equalization method -- hold the nose tight shut and attempt to blow out your nose, but use caution as detailed below from http://www.humankinetics.com/products/showexcerpt.cfm?excerpt_id=3197 You can make several movements to open the ends of the eustachian tubes where they connect with the throat. Swallowing, yawning, lifting the base of your tongue, and jutting the jaw forward (either individually or in combination) should produce a cracking sound in your ears. The opening of the tubes causes the sound. Some divers are fortunate because they can use simple movements to equalize pressure in their ears during descent. Most people require a more forceful means of equalization. Many divers use a technique known as the Toynbee maneuver, which you do by blocking your nostrils, closing your mouth, and swallowing. The Valsalva maneuver is even more forceful and is done by blocking your nostrils, closing your mouth, and gently attempting to exhale. You must avoid excessive force when you use the Valsalva method or you can damage your ears permanently by rupturing the round window. When pressure in the outer ear increases, the eardrum bulges inward. The bones of hearing in the middle ear transmit the movement to the oval window in the inner ear. When you attempt to exhale against closed airways, you create an internal pressure on your inner ears. The attempted exhalation pressure in conjunction with the external pressure exerted on the oval window can cause the round window to rupture, a serious injury that can result in a permanent high-frequency hearing loss and constant ringing in the ear. Because you control how hard you attempt to exhale in a Valsalva maneuver, you can prevent this injury. Be careful!