Desperation set in. He tried chewing gum until his jaw ached. He put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in his ear, lying on his side while it fizzed and tickled, hoping the bubbles would clear the blockage. He tried tugging on his earlobe, massaging the area behind his jaw, and even doing jumping jacks in the living room (which he immediately regretted due to his congestion).
He sat up, groaning as the room spun slightly. He plugged his nose, closed his mouth, and attempted a gentle blow—the Valsalva maneuver, his doctor had called it years ago. clogged ears when sick