Many people experience a lingering sensation of fullness or blockage in one or both ears after air travel. This condition, commonly called “airplane ear” or ear barotrauma, results from the body’s difficulty adjusting to rapid changes in cabin pressure. The stress placed on the eardrum during ascent and, more commonly, descent causes pain and muffled hearing. Knowing immediate steps for relief can quickly resolve the discomfort.
The Function of the Eustachian Tube
The feeling of a blocked ear during a flight happens because of a small structure called the Eustachian tube. This narrow channel connects the middle ear—the space directly behind the eardrum—to the back of the nose and throat. Its primary role is to act as a pressure-equalizing valve, ensuring the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum remains balanced.
The Eustachian tube normally opens briefly when a person swallows, yawns, or chews, allowing air to move in or out of the middle ear space. During an airplane’s descent, the external air pressure increases rapidly, while the air inside the middle ear remains at the lower cruising altitude pressure. This pressure difference pushes the eardrum inward, and the negative pressure can seal the Eustachian tube shut. This effect creates the sensation of fullness, pain, and muffled sound.
Techniques for Clearing Blocked Ears
The most direct way to relieve the pressure is to manually force the Eustachian tube to open, allowing air to rush into the middle ear. One of the most effective and simplest techniques is the Valsalva maneuver. To perform this, you pinch your nostrils closed, keep your mouth shut, and then gently try to exhale air through your nose until you hear a small “pop” in your ears. It is important to perform this gentle forced exhalation for only a few seconds, as blowing too forcefully can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear.
Another effective method utilizing the throat muscles is the Toynbee maneuver. This technique involves pinching your nose closed while simultaneously taking a sip of water and swallowing. Swallowing engages the muscles that pull the Eustachian tube open, while the pinched nose assists pressure equalization.
Simpler, non-forced actions can also help by naturally stimulating the Eustachian tube muscles. Chewing gum, sucking on a hard candy, or repeatedly yawning encourage the tube to open. These repetitive motions cause the muscles near the tube’s opening to contract, which can release the built-up negative pressure. Drinking a beverage and swallowing frequently during pressure changes also helps keep the tubes active and open.
Steps to Take Before Your Next Flight
Proactive preparation can significantly reduce the risk of developing barotrauma. If flying with a cold, allergies, or nasal congestion, swelling can narrow the Eustachian tube, making pressure equalization harder. Taking a decongestant tablet containing pseudoephedrine about an hour before takeoff helps shrink the swollen nasal tissues.
Using a nasal spray with oxymetazoline approximately 30 minutes to an hour before the plane begins its final descent can also be beneficial. The spray works by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages, which helps ensure the opening of the Eustachian tube remains clear. Specialized filtered earplugs designed for flying can slow down the rate at which air pressure changes against the eardrum, giving the middle ear more time to adjust naturally.
It is helpful to stay awake during the aircraft’s descent, as this allows you to actively perform pressure-clearing maneuvers. Beginning to swallow or chew gum as soon as the plane starts to descend is more effective than waiting until pain or fullness has already developed.
Recognizing Severe Symptoms
While most cases of ear barotrauma resolve quickly with self-care, certain symptoms require medical attention. Consult a healthcare professional if the feeling of fullness, blockage, or muffled hearing lasts for more than a few days after the flight. Severe or persistent pain is a warning sign that the eardrum may have been significantly stressed. Other indicators of a serious injury include vertigo (a spinning sensation) or tinnitus (a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ear). Any fluid or blood drainage from the ear canal should prompt an immediate medical evaluation to check for potential eardrum rupture.