My own little cure for MINOR ear block is to put some tissue in a paper cup and pour hot water JUST ENOUGH TO SOAK the tissue and put the cups on ur ear. The steam from the tissue will unblock MINOR ear block. My colllegues put a slice on lemon in for what reason i dont know
I once flew from LHR with a cold and upon landing, the pain from my ear was so bad i nearly screamed from my crew seat. Went to the doctor on arrival and asked him about wether blowing a blocked ear helps. The doctor said it helps but blowing really hard with nose pinched could damage the ear drum. He also recommended buying a nose spray for blocked nose as it clears the pleghm and somehow unblocks the eustachian tube.