Gargle With Saltwater It's a go-to natural remedy for sore throats, which often accompany earaches. In addition, because the eustachian tube connects to the back of the throat, a saltwater gargle may help to relieve swelling, allowing trapped water to drain.

Gargling salt water is a common home remedy, but its effect on Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) is indirect. ETD occurs when the tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat becomes blocked or fails to open properly, often due to inflammation from a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection. Gargling with warm salt water (typically 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) helps reduce inflammation and thin mucus in the throat and nasopharynx. By soothing the tissues near the opening of the Eustachian tube, it can theoretically make it easier for the tube to function. However, it will not directly "clear" the ear. For more direct relief, medical experts often recommend the Valsalva maneuver (gently blowing with your nose pinched and mouth closed), yawning, or using a saline nasal spray to reduce swelling in the nasal passages. If the salt water gargle reduces an underlying sore throat or post-nasal drip, it may prevent the ETD from worsening, but it is not a primary clinical treatment for the ear blockage itself.