Plugged Ears...

Have him lay his head on a hot pad for 15 minutes on both sides. Sometimes it helps the fluid to run out on its own.

Decongestants-- prescribed would be best but over the counter should work.

I have tons of experience with this problem. I've been a chronic sufferer of ear infections, as well as dealing with my daughter's infections.

Fluid in the ear can take months to go away, so tell him to hang in there. Eventually, it will subside!

I get ear trouble any time I get a cold or allergies. This is what my doc has me do and since he told me this I haven't had to go back for an ear infection because I am able to clear thngs up before they get to that point. Have him take a antihistimine like Benadryl or Claritin (they make generic for both) Benadryl makes you tired but it works the best so take it at night before bed. Antihistimines dry you up. So that will help to dry up the fluid in his ears. Also take Musonex (also available in generic) this acts to thin fulids out in your body. So the fulid in the ear will drain and dry up better. I swear by this. I have a co-workers who is always having ear trouble too and a few weeks ago I had her do this and within a day or two she was trouble free!

My dad would use peroxide and pour it in his ears and ours when I was a kid and it helped.

Two things, one of which I see mentioned below.

Definately try the heating pad, about 15 minutes on each side with the heating pad on the ear, neck below the ear, and on the jaw. I'd try it twice a day. This has helped me and my children through the years.

You can also go to an organic market, health food store, etc. and get ear candles. They are super cheap and get all sorts of gunk out of your ears. They also warm up the ear canal so if there is fluid behind the ear drum, it will help. The candles must be used with two people in the room. Your finace will need to lay on his side, while you gently place the candle in his ear and light it. He will need to hold onto it after you have lit it. It should have a mark on the side that will let you know how far down to let it burn. It is a different sensation, but it works.

Good luck!

I know you don't have insurance but your fiance should really see a doctor before he damages his hearing. He needs some strong antibiodics to clear up his ears.

Sometimes, if you tell them up front you are paying cash, they will cut you a break.

If you haven't been using already - start on a good decongestant/antihistamine med. Take it for about a week and see if that helps. It will usually help any impacked drainage to break up and dry up. Don't try the popping your ears by holding nose as suggested in another reply. This can rupture an eardrum and cause bleeding and major pain.

I agree with the other post - try a Neti Pot.

Then go see a chiropractor.

That should help :)

A Neti Pot can help flush the sinuses which can also unblock ear tubes. It works like a charm for us.

Has he tried popping his ears? You hold your nose and close your mouth and blow like you are trying to blow your nose. It will force your ears to open up and relieve some of the pressure.

Home remedies could cause more problems than just finding a clinic that has a sliding scale for payment to see a physician or nurse practitioner. Most of the Convenient Care clinics (like Minute Clinic) are $60/visit, an antibiotic can be generic for $4-$10 if appropriate and will save a surgical visit to an ENT for not addressing it.

Good luck - please see a health care professional of some sort before it gets really bad.

I don't know of any clinical evidence on record that shows any of the other OTC recommendations are really helpful for ear issues. The longer he waits, since it's not clearing up on its own, the more damage could be done to his hearing.