as a stereo enthusiast with Meniere's Disease I'm very familiar with this method of 'clearing the ears' - first of all it does work and according to many of the docs I've been treated by, it won't damage anything provided you don't 'force it' - in other words, proceed gently and cautiously but if you don't immediately feel the 'pop' or release of pressure STOP ! You may just have blockage that needs professional removal. Don't go digging around in there with a Q tip!
a related aside: Meniere's can cause, over time, or even suddenly, an acute or gradual reduction in hearing - in my case (gasp !) I have to use a hearing aid in my left ear, which has unfortunately reduced my enjoyment of my not inexpensive stereo gear
a couple years ago I got sick; upper respiratory problem, either the flu or a nasty cold (I don't recall and it doesn't really matter) - congestion, plugged sinuses, cough, you know - that thick feeling in your sinuses, ears, nose etc, and this lasted for more than a few days; my hearing suffered more than usual and of course given I've been sick hundreds of times in my life I expected that once I fully recovered my hearing would return to its previous (though reduced) level
the bad news, and the reason for the long and boring story is this: the hearing in my left ear did not return to it's previous level, even though my illness subsided; so I visited my otolaryngologist for an evaluation - he asked me why I waited so long to come see him to which I replied, 'I've been sick more than a few times during my 61 years of life, had temporary hearing loss which always returned, why would I visit you this time?' being the smart-ass (and excellent doc, by the way) he said, 'well this time your hearing isn't coming back!' He said if I had visited him during the time I was sick (not 2 weeks later) he might likely have prevented the new and additional hearing reduction with another intratympanic steroid injection, similar to those I'd had in the past to battle vertigo, etc.
I share this to remind you that the most important part of your system is your EARS! Take care of them! They are no different than you teeth, your blood, your eyes, your liver, or your skin, etc! Get hearing tests and have your ears examined, have them cleaned and checked! If something doesn't sound right, go see the doc NOW, and preferably an otolaryngologist! (ENT, an ear specialist!) You don't have a brake and shock guy work on your transmission!
When you get sick and your hearing wanes and doesn't return fairly soon, I urge you: go see a specialist asap!
As far as Neti Pots, they work too, but I've only used them to remove pollen from my sinuses; it is very effective and not nearly as uncomfortable as you'd think - tap water works fine; if tap water is going to cause a brain issue, then it will likely kill you from drinking, brushing your teeth, cooking, or bathing too.......... can't live life in a bubble..........