If you've ever wondered how you can equalize your ears, this is the place for you. Toynbee maneuver allows you to safely equalize your ears. It does not involve the Valsalva maneuver, which is the usual approach. It involves gentle sucking in and exhaling from the mouth. You'll notice a difference in your hearing after swallowing.
Eustachian tubes equalize with swallowing
The eustachian canals are a set of passageways that connects your middle ear to the back of your nose, called the nasopharynx. They work by equalizing the air pressure between the middle and back of the nasal cavity. Swallowing or chewing opens the tubes and allows air to enter into the middle of the ear. If the tubes become blocked, the middle of the ear can't function properly and this can cause hearing loss.
A blocked eustachiantube can cause discomfort in the ears and even damage. This condition is typically temporary and can be treated by addressing the underlying cause, such as nasal congestion or sinus infection. You can use antibiotics or decongestants to treat the condition. Some cases may require surgery in order to restore normal eustachian function.
Valsalva maneuver doesn't equalize ears
There are many methods to equalize your ears. The Valsalva maneuver is one. You pinch your nostrils and blow through your nose to equalize your ears. The excess throat pressure pushes air through Eustachian tube openings and pushes it through your nostrils. While Valsalva isn’t as effective at breathing through your nose, it can still be helpful.
Another way to equalize the airflow is to squeeze the nostrils, and then blow the air into your sinuses. This is the simplest way to equalize ears. Although this works well, avoid blowing too hard on your nose. It can cause more damage to your ears. Blowing too hard can damage the tissue in your ears and can even rupture your round windows.
Toynbee maneuver equalizes ear safely
The Toynbee maneuver balances the pressure in your middle ear. Because the middle ear is a dead air space, it needs equalizing to match the outer and inner ear pressures. A person can achieve this by swallowing and gently pinching their nose. This can help reduce the pain that is caused by the middle ear pressure imbalance.
To avoid locking your Eustachian tubes, it is important to practice the maneuver. These tissues can be damaged if too much pressure is applied. This is why it's important to learn how to perform the Toynbee maneuver carefully.
Improper equalization symptoms
For free divers, it is essential to use proper equalization techniques. Incorrect equalization techniques may lead to inner-ear barotrauma. The round window can burst if you use forceful Valsalva maneuvers. This happens when the eustachian tubs become blocked. As a result, the fluid expands, increasing pressure and rupturing the round windows. This is a potentially dangerous condition and requires emergency medical attention.
If you feel pain during equalization, stop immediately. Do not attempt to equalize too long as it can cause damage to the Eustachian tube. Instead, try ascending a few feet. If equalization is still painful you can lower yourself and continue the process. If you feel pain, try the Lowry procedure, which combines Valsalva maneuvers with the Toynbee maneuver. You can also pinch the nose and swallow to equalize your ears.