Airplane Ear Relief: Simple Tricks That Work

What is Airplane Ear?

Airplane ear, medically known as barotrauma, occurs due to an imbalance between the air pressure in the airplane cabin and the pressure in your middle ear. This imbalance creates an uncomfortable sensation of fullness or plugged ears.

The condition arises when the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, fails to equalize the pressure rapidly enough. This tube plays a crucial role in maintaining ear pressure by gradually releasing it, but sudden changes in altitude can overwhelm its capacity.

Causes of Airplane Ear

Several factors can contribute to airplane ear, especially conditions that affect the Eustachian tube’s functionality. Common culprits include colds, allergies, and sinus infections, which cause inflammation in the mucus membranes.

This inflammation can block the Eustachian tube, preventing it from opening and closing properly. As a result, pressure in the middle ear builds up, leading to pain and discomfort. Severe cases might even result in a ruptured eardrum or bleeding behind it.

Preventive Measures

If you must fly while experiencing a cold or allergies, opt for a nonstop flight to reduce the number of ascents and descents. This minimizes the pressure changes your ears must endure. Additionally, several techniques can help alleviate the discomfort of airplane ear:

Yawning and Talking

Yawning or talking activates the muscles around the Eustachian tube, helping it open. Even mimicking a yawn by stretching your mouth wide can be effective. These actions engage the muscles that pull on the Eustachian tube, facilitating pressure equalization.

Chewing Gum and Sucking Candy

Chewing gum, especially mint-flavored, can stimulate saliva production and increase swallowing frequency, both of which help open the Eustachian tube. Similarly, sucking on candy or drinking water during takeoff and landing can aid in pressure regulation.

Using Decongestants

ENT specialists often recommend long-acting nasal decongestants to reduce nasal passage inflammation, thereby improving Eustachian tube function. Oral decongestants should be taken two to three hours before arrival, while nasal sprays are best used about an hour before descent.

Techniques to Pop Your Ears

Toynbee Maneuver

This technique, popular among scuba divers, involves pinching your nose shut while swallowing. Though it may feel slightly uncomfortable, it is an effective way to open the Eustachian tubes.

Valsalva Maneuver

This method requires taking a deep breath, pinching your nose shut, closing your mouth, and then trying to exhale as if inflating a balloon for about 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat if necessary, but avoid excessive force to prevent eardrum damage.

Additional Tips

Stay Awake During Takeoff and Landing

Passengers who sleep during these critical phases are more susceptible to airplane ear since they miss out on natural pressure-relieving actions like yawning and swallowing. Staying awake ensures you can actively manage ear pressure changes.

Applying Heat

For stubborn ear pressure, applying a warm washcloth or heating pad can help open the Eustachian tubes, allowing pressure to equalize more effectively.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you consistently experience severe ear pain during flights, you might have Eustachian tube dysfunction, a condition affecting about 1% of adults and 70% of children before age seven. Frequent flyers with this condition might consider pressure equalization tubes, a 15-minute procedure performed under anesthesia that helps regulate ear pressure.

However, this should be a last resort due to potential complications like ear infections or perforated eardrums.

Airplane ear, while uncomfortable, can often be managed with simple techniques and preventive measures. Understanding the causes and employing strategies like yawning, chewing gum, and using decongestants can significantly alleviate symptoms. For persistent issues, consulting an ENT specialist is advisable to explore more advanced treatments.