Have you ever felt that peculiar pressure in your ears during a flight, often accompanied by a distinct popping sensation? This common phenomenon, known as airplane ear or ear barotrauma, occurs due to rapid changes in air pressure when you’re ascending or descending in an airplane. Understanding why your ears pop when flying can help you take steps to minimize discomfort and enjoy smoother travels.
Airplane ear happens because of a pressure imbalance between the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment. Your middle ear is an air-filled space behind your eardrum, and it’s connected to the back of your throat by a small channel called the eustachian tube. This tube’s crucial job is to equalize pressure in your middle ear with the outside world.
During takeoff and landing, the air pressure in the airplane cabin changes quickly. As the plane ascends, air pressure decreases, and as it descends, air pressure increases. Ideally, your eustachian tube opens and closes to adjust to these changes, allowing air to flow in or out of your middle ear and keep the pressure balanced. When the eustachian tube doesn’t function perfectly, perhaps due to congestion from a cold or allergies, the pressure difference builds up, causing that uncomfortable feeling of fullness or pressure, and eventually, the ‘pop’ as the pressure equalizes, sometimes with a sudden release.
While ear popping is a natural and often harmless process, sometimes the eustachian tube struggles to keep up with the pressure changes. This can lead to the symptoms of airplane ear, which range from mild discomfort to more intense pain, dizziness, and even temporary hearing loss in severe cases.
Fortunately, there are several simple techniques you can use to help your eustachian tubes do their job effectively and prevent or relieve airplane ear:
- Yawn and Swallow Frequently: These actions activate the muscles that open your eustachian tubes. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy can encourage swallowing and help keep these tubes open, especially during ascent and descent.
- Practice the Valsalva Maneuver: Gently try to exhale while pinching your nostrils and keeping your mouth closed. This technique can force air through your eustachian tubes, helping to equalize pressure. Repeat this several times, particularly during descent.
- Stay Awake During Ascents and Descents: Being awake allows you to consciously perform these pressure-equalizing techniques when you first feel pressure building in your ears. If you are asleep, you might miss the early warning signs and experience more discomfort.
- Consider Your Travel Timing: If you are suffering from a cold, sinus infection, nasal congestion, or an ear infection, flying can exacerbate airplane ear. If possible, postpone your flight until you are feeling better. If flying is necessary, consult your doctor for advice.
- Use a Nasal Spray: If nasal congestion is a concern, using an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray about 30 minutes to an hour before takeoff and landing can help open up nasal passages and improve eustachian tube function. However, avoid prolonged use, as it can worsen congestion over time.
- Oral Decongestants: Oral decongestant pills can also be taken cautiously about 30 minutes to an hour before flying. However, these are not suitable for everyone, especially individuals with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or pregnant women. Consult your doctor before using oral decongestants.
- Allergy Medication: If allergies contribute to your congestion, taking your allergy medication about an hour before your flight can be beneficial.
- Try Filtered Earplugs for Flying: Special filtered earplugs are designed to equalize pressure on the eardrum more gradually during flights. These can be purchased at pharmacies or airport stores and can be a helpful tool, although you still might need to use swallowing or yawning techniques in conjunction with them.
For most people, airplane ear is a temporary and manageable inconvenience. However, if you frequently experience severe airplane ear or are undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy, your doctor might recommend ear tubes. These tubes are surgically inserted into the eardrum to help with fluid drainage, ventilate the middle ear, and equalize pressure more effectively.
Understanding why your ears pop when flying empowers you to take proactive steps to minimize discomfort. By employing these simple strategies, you can make your air travel experience more comfortable and enjoyable, ensuring that ear pressure changes don’t put a damper on your journey.
