What is the best way to get my ears unblocked?

LAST November I had a dreadful cold and also had vertigo for a couple of days. Then my ears became blocked and they still don’t feel right.

My GP said they will clear eventually, but is there anything I can do to speed this up?

I bought decongestants but the leaflet said you shouldn’t take them if you are on blood pressure pills, which I am.

Is there anything else I can try?

ATHAT blocked feeling is almost certainly occurring because your Eustachian tubes are blocked. They are tiny narrow tubes, about 4cm long, that connect the middle ear cavity (behind the eardrum) with the back of the nose.

They are normally filled with air but when you have a cold they can easily become filled with mucus. This can also lead to a build-up of fluid in the middle ear, which prevents the eardrum moving, leading to reduced hearing.

Occasionally, dizziness can occur as well. It can often take a week or more after a cold has gone for blocked tubes to clear, but it can take a lot longer.

Decongestant tablets can help but they should not be taken if you have high blood pressure.

You may be able to use a decongestant nasal spray but before doing so you should check with your GP. You should only use these for a few days as they can cause rebound congestion in the nose with longer use.

One of the best remedies for blocked Eustachian tubes is regular inhalation with vapour of menthol and eucalyptus oil – old fashioned I know, but it works. Put a few drops of oil in a basin of boiling water, then put your head over it, covered with a towel to enclose the steam, then