Ear Problems & Flying (Photo: )
Ear problems in both adults and children often cause great discomfort when flying, especially during the plane’s takeoff or landing. When the air changes rapidly as you gain or descend in altitude, the ear’s Eustachian tube must adjust, or uneven pressure in your ear may cause pain and even hearing loss. Previous medical conditions involving your ears may also contribute to painful ear problems while flying.
The main cause of ear problems when flying occurs is when the Eustachian or auditory tubes get blocked. Since the auditory tubes connect to the middle ear located in the back of the throat, obstructions stops air in the eardrum from equalizing. The result is a blocked feeling that occurs during barometric pressure changes like those on a flight. While some people experience this problem whenever they fly, the obstruction occurs more frequently when you get an upper respiratory virus, common cold, allergies, or a sinus infection.
One way to alleviate ear problems involves postponing your trip. If you cannot delay your trip, buy a bottle of Afrin or another non-prescription decongestant spray to use before your flight. For long flights of up to 10 hours or more, wait to spray your nose until you reach the midway point of your flight. Waiting allows your nose to get the maximum decongestants required for a comfortable descent.
Swallowing, chewing a piece of gum, sucking on a piece of hard candy, drinking liquids or yawning may help your ears equalize. If these simple measures do not work, try taking a deep breath. Before letting the breath out, pinch your nose and close your mouth, then breath out. While no air comes out of your mouth or nose, the air may reach your Eustachian tubes, causing the pressure to equalize. You may feel a pop, a good sign the procedure is working. You may need to do this a few times in a row, especially when the plane is descending. Avoid sleeping during the plane’s descent in order to follow this procedure to keep your ears from hurting.
If you plan to fly with a baby, encourage the child to sleep during the flight. Before the plane starts to descend, give your baby a pacifier or a bottle to suck on since the sucking motion helps equalize the ears.
Kids need reassurance that their ear pain is temporary and will go away within a few minutes. Encouraging your child to drink plenty of water or decaffeinated fluids on the plane ride helps keep nasal mucus from thickening and causing problems. If the pain lasts a few hours after landing, children’s pain relievers may help alleviate the pain. If the pain continues, consult your physician. If your child had artificial ear tubes inserted into her eardrums due to fluid problems, her ears will pressurize more easily.
Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
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