Sudafed -- the kind behind the counter, will help dry up fluid and relieve pressure.

A saline nasal spray may help -- clearing out anything in your nose/sinus area may relieve some pressure you're feeling in your ear.

But these oils do what?

I use garlic oil, bought at WF.

I often use a little drop of Food Grade hydrogen peroxide, applied to the edge of the ear canal for earache. Lay upon your side to allow the peroxide to get in there and fizz.

See a doctor immediately if you start to have a fever, even a mild one, or have balance issues. Those are pretty sure signs of an ear infection in which case you will save yourself a world of grief by killing it with antibiotics sooner rather than later.

Thanks, very helpful. I'm a big irrigation fan (Neil Med), but hadn't thought of it since I have virtually no congestion. But maybe stuff is stuck up there ....

Ibuprofen for pain as needed + a decongestant in case your ears are stopped up. Watch and wait. At this point, no reputable doctor would give you an antibiotic for a possible ear infection; even if you have an infection, it would likely be viral so non-responsive to antibiotics.

If your ear starts to hurt a LOT more or if the pain doesn't go away within a few days of your cold ending (assuming that you have continued the decongestants and Advil), then see a doctor.

Wouldn't hurt to use a neti pot. Plenty of info available online.

--Person who gets ear issues with every cold and now uses a preventive neti pot with great success

Then just wait for the cold to pass and see if the stuffiness in the ear passes with it.

I can't imagine it is an infection yet ...

go to doctor. they will look in it to see if you have an infection. if so, they will give you antibiotics.

I have a very mild cold, but sleeping on my right side seems to have left me with an earache in my right ear. What is the best way to address?