Sounds are muffled. Your own voice echoes in your head. You might feel a little dizzy or off-balance.

It sounds too simple, but yawning or chewing gum triggers the muscles that actually pull open the Eustachian tubes. Force a few fake yawns—you might feel a sudden shift. What not to do Do not use ear candles. They are ineffective, dangerous (risk of burns and wax blockage), and not approved by medical professionals.

This is the dreaded "clogged ear cold," and while it’s rarely dangerous, it is incredibly annoying. Here’s why it happens and, more importantly, how to get relief. It’s not actually earwax. The culprit is the Eustachian tube .

Blowing with both nostrils blocked shoots mucus backward into your Eustachian tubes, making the clog worse. Blow one nostril at a time, gently.