Some more modern pressurisation controllers use a variable rate of climb and or descent depending on a number of factors including Take Off Weight, Take Off field elevation, Cruise altitude and landing Field elevation. With known time schedules the px controller will choose the appropriate rate from within a range. A typical maximum descent rate would be 750slfpm but more likely the rate will be less than 500slfpm. When this data is not available due to FMS failure or just not programmed the system will vary the cabin px depending on the outside px. This will give a varying rate of cabin climb/descent depending on the aircraft rate of climb/descent.
FE's do it manually with one hand.
This FE can generate enough pressure when valsalving to blow air out of his tear ducts. Very amusing when pressure breathing in the chamber.
Mate had blocked Eustachian tubes in the chamber one year and ended up with bi-otitic barotrauma. (both his eardrums burst). He had to have grommets fitted in his eardrums but it pretty much ended his flying career.
Otravine is very good if used 20 minutes before TOD but as pax you wouldn't know when that would be.
The finger in the ear (over the ear) does work and was told to me by an RAF aviation medicine specialist.
As for the OP I got the feeling this was a trawl for some ammunition to use against the airline (Flybe?). Sorry this isn't their fault. If you had brought it up at the time they could have reduced the descent rate to assist. And the system i described above is that used in the Embraer E-Jets.