Airplane Ear – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Several options can help manage and prevent ear pressure changes during air travel:
- Earplugs: Special pressure-regulating earplugs designed for air travel that slow pressure changes.
- Decongestants: Over-the-counter medications taken before flying.
- Nasal Sprays: Can help open nasal passages when used before takeoff and landing.
- Antihistamines: May reduce congestion for those with allergies.
- Pressure-Equalizing Ear Devices: Tools that help balance ear pressure.
Most travelers find relief through simple techniques like yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum. For severe cases that don’t respond to these measures, medical attention might be necessary.
Signs and Problems
Airplane ear might affect one or both ears. You may notice:
- Mild pain or discomfort in your ear
- Feeling like your ear is full or stuffed
- Hard of hearing or some hearing loss
In more serious cases, you might have:
- Strong pain
- Heavy pressure in your ear
- More noticeable hearing loss
- Sound of ringing in your ear
- Feeling like things are spinning
- Blood coming from your ear
When You Should Talk to a Doctor
Call your doctor if you still feel discomfort, fullness, or have trouble hearing after a few days. Also, contact a doctor right away if you have any serious symptoms like severe pain, bad hearing loss, or bleeding from your ear.
What Causes Ear Pressure Problems
Middle Ear Structure and Function
The middle ear contains three tiny bones: the hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), and stirrup (stapes). These bones sit behind the eardrum, which separates them from the outer ear.
A narrow tube called the eustachian tube connects your middle ear to the back of your nose and upper throat. This tube plays a key role in balancing air pressure.
When you swallow or yawn, your eustachian tube opens briefly. This allows air to flow in or out of your middle ear.
This process keeps the air pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum, which is important for normal hearing.
The eardrum needs equal pressure on both sides to vibrate correctly. When pressure differences occur, you may feel discomfort or pain, and your hearing might be affected temporarily.
Airplane Ear Pressure Changes
Airplane ear happens when air pressure inside your middle ear doesn’t match the pressure outside. This often occurs during air travel, especially during takeoff and landing.
As the plane climbs or descends, the air pressure changes rapidly, but your eustachian tube may not adjust quickly enough.
Several activities besides flying can cause similar pressure problems:
- Scuba diving – pressure changes underwater.
- Hyperbaric oxygen treatment – pressurized chambers for medical therapy.
- Nearby explosions – sudden air pressure changes.
- Elevator rides in tall buildings.
- Mountain driving with elevation changes.
Risk Factors
Several factors can raise your chances of developing airplane ear:
- Physical Factors: People with smaller Eustachian tubes, especially young children and babies, face a higher risk.
- Respiratory Conditions: Colds, sinus infections, or middle ear infections can cause swelling or mucus buildup.
- Allergies: Hay fever can cause inflammation that affects normal ear pressure regulation.
- Sleeping During Flight: Falling asleep during takeoff or landing prevents you from swallowing or yawning, which naturally helps balance ear pressure.
Complications
Airplane ear is usually a short-term problem that gets better with simple self-care. However, in rare cases, serious complications can develop when the condition is severe or lasts a long time.
Possible rare complications include:
- Permanent loss of hearing
- Chronic tinnitus (ongoing ringing or buzzing in the ears)
These complications typically only occur when there is damage to structures in the middle or inner ear.
Ways to Prevent Airplane Ear
Using Breath Control Techniques
The Valsalva maneuver is a simple technique that can help equalize pressure in your ears during air travel. To perform it, gently blow out while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut.
This action helps push air through your eustachian tubes. Try this several times during takeoff and landing when pressure changes are most noticeable.
Other helpful breath-related tips include:
- Yawn and swallow frequently during ascent and descent
- Stay awake during takeoff and landing to manage ear pressure actively
- Suck on hard candy or chew gum to promote swallowing
- Consider filtered earplugs designed to slowly equalize ear pressure
If you have nasal congestion, try using a nasal spray about 30-60 minutes before takeoff and landing. Don’t use sprays for more than 3-4 days, as they may worsen congestion with extended use.
For those with allergies, taking allergy medication about an hour before flying can help prevent symptoms that might contribute to ear pressure problems.
Tips for Young Flyers
Children are often more sensitive to airplane ear because their eustachian tubes are narrower. Here are ways to help them:
For Babies and Toddlers:
- Offer a bottle or pacifier during takeoff and landing
- Make sure they’re sitting upright while drinking
- Time feedings to coincide with pressure changes
For Children Over 4:
- Encourage chewing gum
- Have them drink through a straw
- Make it fun by having them blow bubbles with a straw
| Age Group | Recommended Techniques |
|---|---|
| Infants | Bottle feeding, pacifier |
| Toddlers | Sippy cup, sitting upright |
| Older children | Gum chewing, straw activities |
Important: Avoid giving decongestants to young children, as they aren’t recommended for this age group.
If possible, reschedule flights when you or your child has a cold, sinus infection, or ear infection. Those who’ve recently had ear surgery should consult with their doctor before flying.
For people who experience severe airplane ear regularly, a doctor might recommend placing tubes in the eardrums to help equalize pressure more effectively.
