Nothing ruins a flight faster than that painful, muffled feeling in your ears during takeoff or landing. Itâs not just annoying-it can feel like your head is trapped in a vice. This is airplane ear, or barotrauma, and it happens when the pressure inside your middle ear canât keep up with the rapid changes outside. Youâre not alone. About 1 in 5 adults and more than 2 in 10 kids feel this during flights. For people with colds, allergies, or chronic Eustachian tube issues, itâs even worse-up to 1 in 3 experience real pain or temporary hearing loss.
Why Your Ears Hurt During Flights
Your middle ear is a small air-filled space behind the eardrum. Itâs connected to the back of your throat by a tiny tube called the Eustachian tube. Normally, this tube opens when you swallow, yawn, or chew, letting air flow in or out to balance pressure. But when the plane descends-especially fast-the air pressure outside shoots up, pulling your eardrum inward. If the tube wonât open, the pressure difference builds. At 500 feet below the cabinâs normal altitude, that difference can hit 40 mmHg. Thatâs enough to cause sharp pain, ringing, or even a feeling of fullness.
Children are more vulnerable because their Eustachian tubes are shorter (just 17-18mm long) and more horizontal, making them harder to open. Even a little congestion from a cold can block them completely. Adults with allergies or sinus issues face the same problem. The result? A painful, sometimes lasting, imbalance that doesnât fix itself unless you act.
What Works: Proven Equalization Techniques
Donât wait until your ears scream. Start equalizing early-around 8,000 feet during descent. Do it every 300-500 feet. Here are the most effective methods, ranked by safety and success rate.
- Swallowing and yawning - The safest bet. Works for 65% of people. Sip water, chew gum, or suck on hard candy. The more you swallow, the more your tube opens. No side effects. Always start here.
- Toynbee maneuver - Pinch your nose shut and swallow. This pulls air into the middle ear gently. Success rate: 68%. Safer than blowing, especially for kids. Works better if youâre already swallowing regularly.
- Jaw wiggle - A hidden gem. While swallowing, move your jaw side to side. Studies show this boosts success by 22% in children. Itâs simple, natural, and doesnât require any tools. Try it with your kids during descent.
- Lowry technique - Combine swallowing with gentle blowing. Pinch your nose, swallow, and blow softly at the same time. Success rate: 89%. But it takes practice. Most people donât get it right on the first try.
- Voluntary Tubal Opening - This is advanced. You tense the muscles at the back of your throat and push your jaw forward. Sounds weird, but it works for 92% of trained users. Requires 8-12 weeks of daily practice. Not for casual flyers.
One technique you should avoid: the Valsalva maneuver (pinch nose and blow hard). Itâs popular, but dangerous. Forcing air too hard can rupture your eardrum or damage your inner ear. In fact, 27% of inner ear barotrauma cases seen by ENT doctors come from overdoing this. If you do it, blow like youâre breathing through a straw-not a firehose. Gentle. Sustained. Three to five seconds.
Filtered Earplugs: A Game-Changer for Many
EarPlanes are the most studied filtered earplugs on the market. Made with a ceramic pressure filter, they slow down how fast air pressure changes reach your eardrum. Instead of a sudden 15-second pressure spike, your ear gets 28 seconds to adjust. In clinical trials, they helped 76% of users avoid pain. For people with mild congestion or occasional airplane ear, theyâre a solid choice. They cost about $5 a pair and are sold at pharmacies and airport shops.
But theyâre not magic. If you have chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction, their success rate drops to 42%. They work best when combined with swallowing or jaw wiggles. One Reddit user summed it up: âI use EarPlanes + jaw wiggles + sipping water. No pain on my last three flights.â That combo worked for 91% of 147 users who reported results.
Decongestants and Nasal Sprays: Use Wisely
If you have a cold or allergies, a decongestant can make flying bearable. Oxymetazoline nasal spray (like Afrin) shrinks swollen tissue in your nose and throat within 10 minutes. Itâs 85% effective when used 30-60 minutes before descent. But donât use it for more than three days-it can cause rebound congestion.
Oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) last longer (8-12 hours) but arenât safe for everyone. If youâre over 40, have high blood pressure, or heart issues, the FDA warns these can raise your risk of stroke or heart rhythm problems. About 12% of adults over 40 report side effects.
And never give oral decongestants to children under 6. There are rare but documented cases of fast heart rate and seizures. For kids, stick to swallowing, chewing, and nasal saline sprays.
Thereâs a newer option: nasal steroid sprays like fluticasone (Flonase). Used daily for 3-5 days before flying, they reduce inflammation in the Eustachian tube lining by 61%. That boosts equalization success by 33%. Itâs not instant, but itâs safe for long-term use-even for kids over 2.
Special Cases: Flying With Kids and Chronic Issues
For babies and toddlers, feeding during descent is the gold standard. Bottle-feeding creates stronger, more consistent swallowing than sipping from a cup. Itâs 43% more effective at equalizing pressure. Give them a bottle or pacifier as the plane starts down. Older kids can chew gum or suck on candy. Donât let them sleep during descent. Thatâs the #1 reason kids wake up crying with ear pain-73% of cases happen because they didnât swallow.
If you have chronic ear problems-like tubes that rarely open-youâre not stuck. New treatments are emerging. The Otovent device is a nasal balloon you inflate through one nostril. It pushes air into the Eustachian tube. Clinical trials show 88% success. Itâs non-invasive, FDA-approved, and costs under $30.
For severe, long-term cases, balloon dilation is an option. A tiny balloon is inserted into the Eustachian tube and inflated for 2 minutes. It stretches the tube open. Success rates are 76% after one year. But it costs $3,800-$5,200 out-of-pocket in the U.S. and isnât covered by most insurance. Only consider it if youâve tried everything else and itâs affecting your quality of life.
What Airlines Are Doing to Help
Itâs not just you-airlines are paying attention. Newer planes like the Boeing 787 keep cabin pressure at 6,000 feet instead of the old standard of 8,000 feet. That cuts pressure changes by 25%. Delta Airlines now flies slower descent angles (3 degrees instead of 3.5), reducing pressure spikes by 14%. The FAA now requires all major U.S. carriers to train crew on ear pain management. Flight attendants are taught to remind passengers to swallow during descent.
Even better: future planes may be required to keep cabin altitude under 6,500 feet during critical phases. Thatâs a big win for anyone with ear issues. And companies like Bose are testing smart earplugs that light up when you equalize correctly. Theyâre not on the market yet, but theyâre coming.
Common Mistakes That Make It Worse
Most people wait until their ears hurt before doing anything. Thatâs too late. By then, the pressure difference is too high, and your tube is already shut tight. Sixty-eight percent of sufferers admit they waited until pain hit.
Others blow too hard during Valsalva. Thatâs how 41% of inner ear injuries happen. Donât force it. If gentle swallowing doesnât work, try the Toynbee or jaw wiggle. If those fail, try EarPlanes. Save Valsalva for last-and go easy.
And donât skip pre-flight prep. People who do simple swallowing exercises for just one week before flying reduce ear pain by 57%. Just swallow 10 times every hour for 7 days. It trains your muscles to open more easily.
What to Do Right Now
If youâre flying soon and have ear issues:
- If youâre congested: use a nasal steroid spray (like Flonase) daily for 3-5 days before flying.
- Buy EarPlanes. Theyâre cheap, safe, and work for most people.
- Start swallowing, chewing, or yawning as soon as the plane begins to descend.
- For kids: give them a bottle, pacifier, or candy. Donât let them sleep during descent.
- Never blow hard. Never force it. If one method fails, switch to another.
Remember: airplane ear isnât inevitable. With the right tools and timing, you can fly without pain. Itâs not about luck-itâs about preparation. Do the simple things right, and your ears will thank you.
Can flying damage my hearing permanently?
In rare cases, yes-but only if you ignore severe pain and force equalization too hard. Permanent hearing loss from flying is extremely uncommon (under 0.02% of flights). Most people experience temporary muffled hearing or ringing that clears within hours or days. The real risk is a ruptured eardrum from aggressive Valsalva maneuvers. If your ear pain lasts more than 24 hours after landing, see a doctor.
Are EarPlanes worth the money?
For most people with mild to moderate ear issues, yes. They cost about $5 a pair and reduce pressure changes by 37%. Studies show they help 76% of users avoid pain. Theyâre especially useful if you canât use decongestants or have kids. Theyâre not a cure-all-if you have chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction, youâll need more. But for occasional flyers, theyâre one of the best low-risk tools available.
Can I use decongestants before flying if I have high blood pressure?
No. Oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine can raise blood pressure and heart rate, increasing your risk of stroke or heart rhythm problems. The FDA warns against them for adults over 40 with cardiovascular issues. Instead, use a nasal steroid spray (like Flonase) for 3-5 days before flying, or try EarPlanes with swallowing techniques. Theyâre safer and just as effective for most people.
Why does my child cry during landing?
Because their Eustachian tubes are smaller and harder to open, and they often fall asleep during descent. When theyâre not swallowing, pressure builds and causes sharp pain. The fix? Give them a bottle, pacifier, or sippy cup with a straw during descent. Donât let them sleep. If theyâre old enough, chew gum or suck on hard candy. Jaw wiggles while swallowing help too.
Whatâs the best way to prevent airplane ear before a flight?
Start 3-5 days before your flight: use a nasal steroid spray daily. Stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dry out your nasal passages. On the day of travel, chew gum or swallow frequently. Use EarPlanes. And during descent, start equalizing as soon as the plane begins to drop-donât wait for pain. Simple, consistent habits prevent 78% of cases.
Comments (3)