The most effective way to stop your ears from popping on a plane is to keep your Eustachian tubes open during ascent and descent. These narrow tubes connect your middle ear to the back of your throat, and they equalize air pressure on both sides of your eardrum every time you swallow, yawn, or chew. When cabin pressure changes faster than your Eustachian tubes can adjust, air gets trapped, your eardrum bulges, and you feel that familiar pressure, popping, or pain.
The good news: a few simple techniques, timed correctly, can prevent most of it.
Why Descent Is Worse Than Takeoff
Your ears can bother you during both climb and descent, but landing is typically the more painful phase. During ascent, cabin pressure drops and the air inside your middle ear expands outward. That air can usually escape through the Eustachian tubes on its own or with a simple swallow. During descent, cabin pressure rises and your Eustachian tubes need to actively let air back in. If the tubes are even slightly swollen or sluggish, the higher outside pressure pushes your eardrum inward, causing sharper pain and a feeling of fullness that can last well after you land.
This difference matters for timing. You want to start equalizing before the plane begins its descent, not once the pain has already set in. Once a pressure difference locks the tubes shut, they become much harder to open.
Swallowing, Chewing, and Yawning
Swallowing and yawning activate two small muscles attached to your Eustachian tubes, pulling them open just enough to let a tiny puff of air through. That’s why the simplest prevention strategy is to keep swallowing throughout ascent and descent. Chewing gum works well because it keeps you swallowing continuously without thinking about it. Sucking on hard candy does the same thing. Drinking water in small, frequent sips is another reliable option, and staying hydrated throughout the flight also helps keep the mucous membranes around the tubes from drying out and swelling.
One important tip: stay awake during takeoff and landing. You swallow far less often while sleeping, so the pressure builds up unchecked. If you’re on a short flight where descent starts soon after cruising altitude, set an alarm or ask a seatmate to wake you.
The Valsalva Maneuver
If swallowing alone isn’t enough, the Valsalva maneuver is the classic backup. Pinch your nostrils shut, close your mouth, and gently blow as if you’re trying to exhale through your nose. You should feel a soft pop or click as air pushes into your middle ear through the Eustachian tubes.
The key word is “gently.” You’re not trying to blow hard. Aggressive force won’t help because the Valsalva maneuver works by pushing air from your throat into the tubes rather than by activating the muscles that open them. If the tubes are already locked shut by a large pressure difference, blowing harder just increases the risk of discomfort. Start early in the descent and repeat every few seconds as needed.
The Toynbee Maneuver
A gentler alternative is the Toynbee maneuver. Pinch your nostrils closed and swallow at the same time. Swallowing pulls the Eustachian tubes open using your throat muscles while the pinched nose compresses air against them. Because it actively engages the muscles that open the tubes (rather than just forcing air through), many people find it more effective and more comfortable than the Valsalva technique, especially when pressure is already building.
You can alternate between the two methods during descent. If one isn’t working, try the other.
Decongestants and Nasal Sprays
If you’re congested from a cold, allergies, or a sinus issue, your Eustachian tubes are already partially swollen shut before the plane even leaves the gate. In that situation, swallowing and blowing techniques may not be enough on their own.
An oral decongestant taken 30 minutes to an hour before the flight can reduce swelling enough to let the tubes function normally. A nasal decongestant spray works faster and more directly. Two sprays in each nostril before descent shrink the swollen tissue around the tube openings. Following the spray with a gentle Valsalva maneuver helps push the medication toward the tube openings and can clear them quickly. These sprays should only be used for occasional flights, not daily, since regular use can cause rebound congestion that makes the problem worse.
Pressure-Equalizing Earplugs
Filtered earplugs designed for flying (often sold as “pressure-regulating” or “flight” earplugs) have a small vent that slows the rate at which pressure changes reach your eardrum. They don’t block the pressure change entirely. Instead, they give your Eustachian tubes more time to catch up. For people who get mild to moderate discomfort, these earplugs can make a noticeable difference, and they’re inexpensive enough to keep in a carry-on bag. Put them in before the plane starts its descent for the best effect. They also work during ascent, but most people need more help on the way down.
Helping Babies and Young Children
Children are more prone to ear pain during flights because their Eustachian tubes are narrower than adults’ and clog more easily, especially if they have a cold or enlarged adenoids. Kids can’t perform a Valsalva maneuver on command, so the strategy shifts to encouraging frequent swallowing.
For infants, nursing or bottle-feeding during takeoff and landing works well. The sucking and swallowing motions keep the tubes opening regularly. A pacifier is a good backup. Make sure the baby is sitting upright while drinking. For toddlers and children over three, chewing gum or sucking on hard candy helps. Encourage older kids to drink water frequently and to yawn on purpose. Children old enough to follow instructions can try the gentle nose-pinch-and-blow technique, but practice it on the ground first so they understand the sensation.
When Congestion Makes Flying Risky
A mild stuffy nose is manageable with decongestants and active equalization. But a significant ear infection or severe sinus congestion can make it nearly impossible for the Eustachian tubes to open, no matter what you do. The resulting pressure difference can bruise the eardrum or, in rare cases, rupture it. If you have an active ear infection, significant ear pain that started before the flight, or recently had ear surgery, postponing travel is worth considering. For flights you can’t reschedule, a doctor can advise whether prescription-strength decongestants or other interventions might make it safe enough to fly.
A Quick Pre-Flight Checklist
- Pack gum, candy, or a water bottle so you can keep swallowing during ascent and descent.
- Take a decongestant early if you’re congested, at least 30 minutes before takeoff.
- Use nasal spray before descent if your nose is stuffy, followed by a gentle Valsalva maneuver.
- Insert filtered earplugs before the plane begins descending.
- Stay awake for the last 30 to 45 minutes of the flight so you can actively equalize.
- Start equalizing early rather than waiting for pain. Once the tubes lock, they’re much harder to open.
Most ear discomfort from flying resolves on its own within minutes to hours after landing. If pain, muffled hearing, or a feeling of fullness persists for more than a day, it may mean fluid is trapped in the middle ear, which occasionally needs medical attention to clear.