Exercises

• Flex your throat muscles to help open blocked eustachian tubes. If you're aware of these muscles, flexing them is easy and results in a little popping noise inside your ears. If you aren't certain how to flex these muscles, try yawning, chewing gum or swallowing.
  
  

Garlic

• Garlic can help clear your ears and relieve pain. Buy ready-made garlic oil drops or make your own. Administer two or three drops directly into your ear canal three times a day.
  
  To make your own garlic drops, boil three or four cloves of garlic in water until they become soft. Drain, mash the cloves of garlic and cover them in oil. Allow the oil to sit overnight, then strain it.
  
  

Aromatherapy

• Eucalyptus oil can help prevent ear infections. It also helps to open the nasal passages and eustachian tubes. In a steamy hot shower, close the drain and add 10 to 15 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the shower floor. The vapors will rise. When you breathe them in, it will help relieve your symptoms.
  
  You also can add 10 to 15 drops of eucalyptus oil to your bath.
  
  

Preventing Infection

• When fluid becomes trapped in the middle ear in the presence of bacteria, the ear may become infected. An infected ear is very painful and may trigger a fever.
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  Use white vinegar to stave off infection. Place two or three drops of white, distilled vinegar into the plugged ear. Allow it to remain in the ear canal for three minutes. Then tilt the head so the vinegar can drain out.
  
  Gargle with warm salt water or diluted vinegar to help reduce the bacteria within your throat that may lead to infection.
  
  Garlic drops also help to fight infection.
  
  If you believe you're suffering from an ear infection and your symptoms do not clear up within three days, schedule a visit with your doctor. You may need a course of antibiotics to eliminate the infection.