Can't get his ear to open up was on flight 28, 000 ft when the cabin pressure, they had emt exam him but he still can't hear fully out of one ear

Has : Has he tried to plug his nose and blow to gently push air into the ear? Divers will do this to protect the ears as they go deeper under water. These symptoms should resolve but may take a prolonged time. Occasionally otc decongestants can be used (these should be avoided if you have high blood pressure). Afrin (oxymetazoline) may help but only use it for 3 days. Some doctors may try steroid pills for difficult cases. The idea is to decrease the inflammation in the eustachian tube so the ear pressures can equalize. If all else fails, the symptoms remain bad or if fluid builds up in the ear and does not clear, then an ENT doctor may recommend an ear tube.

How : How long has his ear been plugged? What did the ENT physician find when he looked in the ear? ( fluid, retracted eardrum only?). Has he had problems with recurrent ear infections in the past or associated with flying? If its just a retracted ear drum then he has a pressure lock of his eustacian tube. The treatment would be afrin (oxymetazoline) spray, valsalva type maneuvers ( trying to gently pop ear by blowing nose while it is pinched shut ), and your best friend, -tincture of time.If this doesn't resolve within a week i would go back to your ENT for futher recommendations.