Dealing with a cold can be a frustrating experience. Not only are you dealing with a runny nose, cough, and other unpleasant symptoms, but you may also experience a feeling of blockage in your ears. This blockage can make it difficult to hear properly, and it can be uncomfortable as well. Fortunately, you can take some simple steps to unblock your ears when you have a cold.

Understanding Why Your Ears Feel Blocked

Before we dive into the solutions, it's essential to understand why your ears feel blocked in the first place. When you have a cold, your body's immune system works hard to fight the virus. This can cause inflammation in your nasal passages, leading to swelling and congestion. When this happens, the Eustachian tubes in your ears can also become blocked, which can cause a feeling of pressure or fullness in your ears.

How to Unblock Your Ears When You Have a Cold

Try Nasal Decongestants: Using nasal decongestants is one of the easiest ways to unblock your ears when you have a cold. These sprays work by shrinking the blood vessels in your nasal passages, which can help to reduce inflammation and congestion. This can help to unblock your ears as well. It's important to carefully follow the instructions on the label and not overuse the spray, as this can lead to rebound congestion.

Use Steam: Steam can also help to unblock your ears when you have a cold. A straightforward way to do this is to take a hot shower or bath. The steam can help open up your nasal passages and Eustachian tubes, relieving the feeling of blockage in your ears. You can also use a steam inhaler or a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head.

Try Ear Drops: If your ears feel particularly blocked, you may use ear drops. These drops contain oil and other ingredients that can help soften and loosen any earwax or debris causing the blockage. It's important to follow the instructions on the label carefully and to avoid using ear drops if you have a perforated eardrum or other ear conditions.

Practise the Valsalva Manoeuvre: The Valsalva manoeuvre is a simple technique that can help to unblock your ears. To do this, close your mouth and pinch your nose shut. Then, try to exhale gently through your nose. This can help to equalise the pressure in your Eustachian tubes and relieve the feeling of blockage in your ears.

When to See a Doctor?

In most cases, the blockage in your ears when you have a cold will disappear within a few days. However, you must see a doctor if the blockage persists or you experience other symptoms such as pain, discharge, or dizziness. These could be signs of a more serious ear infection or another condition requiring medical attention.

If you are experiencing persistent ear blockage or other ear-related symptoms, it's important to seek the advice of a qualified audiologist. Attune is Australia's best hearing healthcare clinic, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Their team of experienced audiologists can provide various services, including earwax removal, hearing tests, and hearing aid fittings. If you're looking to unblock your ears or improve your overall hearing health, Attune can help. Their team of experts can work with you to determine the best treatment for your needs.