how can I unblock my ear?

[thequietone]

Blasted run down feeling since New Year. This is the second time this month I've had a sore throat and blocked ear. Any ideas on how to self-administer an unblocking? Every time I swallow there's a sickening crunching sound and I feel like I'm under water. Swallowing isn't working.

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No advice, just sympathy.

I've had the same, with my ear blocked totally for 2 weeks now, I've tried olive oil, and drops from the chemist, but nothings worked.

I cannot hear at all from that ear, but the worst thing is the feeling that the whole right side of my head is full of cotton wool. I absolutely dread the thought of having to go to my Gp and getting is syringed, but I think thats what it will come to.

sounds like an infecton of the middle ear.

long hot steamy shower and a lot of nose blowing without clamping the nose shut got the gunk out of my sinus and got the ear draining. The doctor confirmed that it was already clearing 'on its own' but I took antibiotics as well to hurry it on.

Don't put anything in it if it's connected to a sore throat, as it sounds like it's internal rather than wax causing it like Foxy says.

Be gentle with blowing your nose as well, I had this with flu before Christmas and my eardrum tore due to the pressure - although it didn't hurt, I couldn't hear for a couple of weeks.

Will have to be brave and visit Gp then, by the sounds of it.

Mine does seem to 'drain' a bit, for a couple of days it seems that it may clear, then I'm back to a 'fuzzy' cotton wool head again.

It's horrible, and I'm either asking people to speak up as I can't hear them, or they're really loud as the Ok ear amplifies everything.