The first and safest method is the act of swallowing. Swallowing activates the muscles that pull the tube open. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy stimulates saliva production, thereby promoting frequent swallowing and subsequent tube opening. Similarly, yawning is highly effective. The wide opening of the jaw and the contraction of the soft palate muscles during a yawn create a strong dilation force, often resulting in a distinct "pop" or "click" sound, which indicates successful equalization of pressure.
An alternative to the Valsalva is the Toynbee maneuver, which involves pinching the nose and swallowing. This creates a negative pressure in the nasopharynx, which can help pull the tube open. It is often considered safer than the Valsalva for individuals with active congestion, as it does not force potentially infected mucus into the middle ear. how to open eustachian tube
The tube gets "stuck" closed for two primary reasons: The first and safest method is the act of swallowing
These techniques use air pressure or muscle movement to manually force the tube open: Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Similarly, yawning is highly effective