I've suffered this a few times this year, but everytime it happened just after I had had a cold.
The cold would last 1-2 days, then wear off and on the next day, my right ear would collapse from pressure, hurting and preventing me from hearing.
Blowing my nose while pinching it only made the ear open for a moment, which hurt, and then it immediately collapsed again, basically doing nothing but making me hurt myself.
After 1-3 days it would slowly get better until I'd eventually wake up and not even realise that it's come back.
I'm not sure how exactly it works, since we've all had different experiences, it seems. The best method of treatment might differ depending on if you've gotten it from travelling through different altitudes, ear infections or whatever I had.
Mind you, if it's an ear infection and this is the most annoying part of it, then you've got it easy. Some ear infections, particularly in the inner ear can make you really rather sick and weak.
If it's not a temporary thing and blowing your nose to open it isn't either too painful, or doesn't work, then I'd suggest seeing a Doctor. You never know what it might be, so it's best to be safe.
And to lessen the pain, I've always lightly soaked cotton wool in olive oil, then gently place these in the ears.
It won't cure it, but the pain will feel less as the oil lubricates. Just be sure to not sleep with the cotton wool in or to leave it for long periods of time, over an hour.
