Eustachian tube blowing is an effective method of balancing external and internal pressure on the eardrum. Physiotherapeutic manipulations can eliminate local manifestations of such ear diseases as tubotympanitis (eustachitis), catarrhal and diffuse otitis media. The main purpose of the procedure is to eliminate the feeling of ear congestion and prevent rupture of the eardrum.
To normalize the pressure inside the ear, it is necessary to restore the patency of the Eustachian tube. It is she who performs the ventilation function, communicating the ear cavity with the nasopharynx. At the level of the posterior wall of the oropharynx, the auditory canal ends with a one-way valve called the tubal bead. It opens only when yawning and swallowing, which contributes to the redirection of air masses into the tympanic cavity and, accordingly, the equalization of external and internal pressure on the ear drum.
Purge target
Blowing the ear at home can eliminate the feeling of congestion and fluid transfusion in the middle ear cavity. The most common causes of discomfort are:
- otitis media;
- barotrauma;
- allergic reactions;
- blockage of the auditory canal with a sulfur plug;
- inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes of the ENT organs;
- a sharp change in pressure when diving under water, taking off on airplanes.
As a result, the lumen in the auditory canal, which communicates the ear with the nasopharynx, is greatly narrowed. This leads to disruption of the ventilation function of the Eustachian tube and negative pressure in the ear cavity. Inside the organ of hearing, oxygen is constantly being absorbed by the tissues of the mucous membranes. For this reason, a low pressure is created in it, which forces the ear membrane to retract into the middle ear cavity.
Pressure drops and blockage of the ear canal lead to accumulation of serous effusions in the ear, which is one of the main reasons for the sensation of fluid transfusion in the hearing organ.
Proper blowing of the auditory tubes at home leads to an increase in the lumen in them and the restoration of drainage and ventilation functions.
Indications for the use of the procedure
Before resorting to performing a physiotherapy procedure, you should consult with a specialist. Improper manipulation can cause serious barotrauma,
up to rupture of the ear membrane. In addition, purging is not recommended for myringitis, i.e. inflammation of the tympanic membrane. A sudden change in pressure can lead to pain and inflammation in the inner ear.
Manipulations to restore pressure can be performed if you have the following symptoms:
- a feeling of fullness in the ears;
- severe hearing loss;
- ear congestion;
- constant "clicking" in the head;
- violations in the coordination of movements.
In the presence of serious ear diseases, blowing is performed on an outpatient basis using a special catheter or Politzer's device.
The above signs in 90% of cases indicate the accumulation of fluid in the ear cavity and, accordingly, blockage of the auditory canal. However, it should be borne in mind that the effectiveness of the manipulation depends on the frequency and correctness of performing special exercises.
Blowing methods
How to blow out your ears at home? There are at least 10 methods for self-blowing the auditory tubes. Most of them were designed to prevent barotrauma in professional divers, submariners, pilots, etc. Many of them can be used as an additional physiotherapy treatment for ear diseases and the effects of otitis media.
Important! It is strongly not recommended to purge in the presence of infectious processes in the nasopharynx. This can cause pathogens to enter the middle ear cavity, which is fraught with the development of purulent otitis media.
To open the orifice of the ear canal and restore normal pressure inside the ear, the following can be used:
- Valsalva maneuver - exhaling air with closed nose and mouth;
- Lowry technique - swallowing with blocked nostrils and closed mouth;
- Frenzel's maneuver - using the tongue as an air blower into the nasal cavity and mouth;
- Otovent technique - blowing out the ear canals using an air balloon pumped with a special pear;
- the Edmonds maneuver - exhalation with parallel extension of the lower jaw with a blocked nose and mouth;
- Toynbrie technique - imitation of swallowing water with blocked nostrils.
Most of the above techniques do not require the use of special tools. However, to achieve the desired therapeutic results, it is important to perform the physiotherapy procedures correctly. The simplest but most effective ways to restore the normal patency of the auditory canals are described below. In 1xbet mirror, you can make not only classic bets on sports events, but also work in Live mode. Here it is implemented quite conveniently, the administration is constantly working to create the most comfortable conditions. Before making live bets, you need to create an account (if you have not previously been a bookmaker's client) and replenish your deposit in one of the convenient ways. After that, you can freely use bonuses and earn money.
Valsalva method
The Valsalva method is one of the easiest ways to blow through the ear canals, which is used to stop the local manifestations of tubotympanitis and catarrhal otitis media. To implement the technique, it is necessary to take a deep breath and, pressing the nostrils to the nasal septum, exhale through the nose.
Important! Do not breathe out sharply during the procedure, as this can damage the inner ear.
Performing the Valsalva technique promotes the injection of air into the nasopharynx, due to which it penetrates into the auditory canal. This helps to increase the lumen in the Eustachian tube and the outflow of fluid from the middle ear. However, it should be borne in mind that blowing your ears at home can cause the following complications:
- damage to the ear labyrinth with a sharp and strong exhalation;
- infection of the middle ear when pathogens enter the nasopharynx;
- rupture of the ear membrane when creating high internal pressure.
Before performing a physiotherapy procedure, it is advisable to clear the nasal passages of mucus. To prevent the penetration of pathogenic flora into the ear canal, you need to rinse the nose with saline.
Toynbrie Technique
The technique is based on forcing air into the Eustachian tube not with forced expiration, but with swallowing. At the moment of swallowing saliva, the opening of the auditory canal expands. With swelling of the mucous membrane
nasopharynx in the oral cavity, air pressure increases, which penetrates into the tympanic cavity and thereby restores normal pressure on the ear membrane.
How to do self-blowing ears? To eliminate congestion and heaviness in the head, you need to do the following:
- press the nostrils against the nasal septum;
- put a small amount of water in your mouth;
- swallow the water.
The procedure must be repeated until a click appears in the ears, signaling that the internal and external pressures are equalized.This method of blowing out the ear tubes is one of the safest, therefore it can be used to eliminate the symptoms of otitis media in children from 5 years of age.
Otovent method
The Otovent method is a home analogue of the method of blowing the ear tubes according to Politzer. To complete the procedure, you need to purchase the so-called Otoventa balloon at the pharmacy. A simple device is a plastic-tipped balloon that is inserted into the nostril to blow through the Eustachian tube. During the procedure, there is practically no risk of a critical increase in pressure inside the ear, which is due to the high elasticity of the ball used.
To eliminate congestion and normalize the outflow of fluid from the ear, it is advisable to perform physiotherapy manipulations daily for 4-5 days. How to blow out your ear at home?
- press one nostril against the nasal septum;
- insert the tip of the Otoventa balloon into the second nostril;
- take a breath and try to inflate the balloon with your nose;
- do similar manipulations with the second nostril.
The success of the technique will be signaled by a characteristic click in the ear.
Muscle training
Most people incorrectly perform self-purging due to inadequate control of the nasopharyngeal muscles. To gain control over the muscles of the palate, nasopharynx, and epiglottis, a few simple exercises should be done. The most effective of these are:
- control of the epiglottis: take a small amount of water into your mouth and, with your head thrown back, gargle, being careful not to swallow the water;
stopping air on exhalation: with your mouth wide open, exhale shallowly so that air does not come out of the trachea, i.e. try to breathe out into the "closed throat";- guttural sounds: make an exit into the "closed throat", then release a small amount of air by opening the epiglottis (a hissing sound will indicate the correctness of the exercise).
stopping air on exhalation: with your mouth wide open, exhale shallowly so that air does not come out of the trachea, i.e. try to breathe out into the "closed throat";It is advisable to do the above exercises 3-4 times a day until the patient feels complete control over the muscles of the soft palate and epiglottis. The ability to control the muscles of the nasopharynx increases the efficiency of the procedures for blowing the auditory tubes by at least 30-40%.
