# Plugging nose and blowing air clears my ears--WHY? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2003, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-nose-and-blowing-air-clears-my-ears-why/199699 "2003-09-05T11:24:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohanDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@JohanDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohanDane)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-nose-and-blowing-air-clears-my-ears-why/199699/1 "2003-09-05T11:24:14Z")
I had to take a trip last month requiring some time in jets. Like a lot of people I tend to hold my nose and blow air into my head to clear my ears after the flight. I’ve noticed that I have since developed a habit of doing this the past month. Usually once or twice a day. Is this bad? I only do it because my hearing becomes much better after doing this. It’s as though the sounds are sharper and slightly louder. At some point in the day my ears must close up again but I’m not conscious of this. Should I be concerned about this? Just looking for some medical advice or other experiences not a diagnosis. I don’t really consider this an urgent problem, just curious about it. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-nose-and-blowing-air-clears-my-ears-why/199699/2 "2003-09-05T12:24:21Z")
You were using the [Valsalva maneuver](http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/valsalva_maneuver.html) to open your Eustachian tube and equalize the pressure in your middle ear. [Howstuffworks](http://www.howstuffworks.com/question193.htm) has an article about it. ---
**Author:** ![raygirvan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@raygirvan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raygirvan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-nose-and-blowing-air-clears-my-ears-why/199699/3 "2003-09-05T21:32:55Z")
Not the Valsalva unless you’re holding your breath and pushing from your lungs to do it. I just let my cheeks provide the pressure. However, I have been told it’s not a good habit, as it can drive mucus up the Eustachian tubes and get infection into the ear. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-nose-and-blowing-air-clears-my-ears-why/199699/4 "2003-09-06T05:05:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by raygirvan \* > \*\*Not the Valsalva unless you’re holding your breath and pushing from your lungs to do it. I just let my cheeks provide the pressure. However, I have been told it’s not a good habit, as it can drive mucus up the Eustachian tubes and get infection into the ear. \*\* Yeah a better way, I think, is to wiggle your jaw back and forth while simultaneously opening and closing (doesn’t have to be complete) you mouth. It doesn’t hurt to yawn now and then in the process. If you are trying to impress a member of the opposite sex with you appearance, don’t do it in front of them Works if you don’t have a bad head cold. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-nose-and-blowing-air-clears-my-ears-why/199699/5 "2003-09-06T12:39:44Z")
FWIW, for our low-pressure chamber rides in the Navy (up to 25,000 ft), they teach us to clear our tubes (swallowing, chewing gum, etc.) on the ascent, and to valsalva on the descent. It’s worked like a charm for me for the last eight years.