“Airplane ears,” also known as ear barotrauma, is a common and temporary discomfort many people experience during air travel. It occurs due to pressure differences between the air inside the middle ear and the air pressure outside the body. While generally not serious, it can cause pain and a feeling of fullness in the ears.
Why Ears Hurt on Planes
Discomfort from “airplane ears” stems from rapid changes in cabin air pressure during a flight’s ascent and descent. The middle ear, an air-filled space behind the eardrum, needs to maintain equal pressure with the surrounding environment for proper hearing. The Eustachian tube, a narrow passage connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, regulates this air pressure.
If the Eustachian tube cannot react fast enough to equalize pressure, a mismatch occurs. During ascent, air in the middle ear becomes higher in pressure, causing the eardrum to bulge outward. During descent, external pressure increases, and middle ear pressure becomes lower, pulling the eardrum inward. This pressure imbalance prevents the eardrum from vibrating normally, leading to sensations of pressure, pain, muffled hearing, or a blocked ear. Conditions like colds, allergies, or sinus infections can worsen this problem by causing inflammation or fluid buildup that obstructs the Eustachian tube.
Tips for Ear Comfort
Several strategies can help prevent or alleviate the discomfort of “airplane ears”:
- Swallow, yawn, or chew gum to help open the Eustachian tubes and equalize pressure. Sucking on hard candy can also encourage swallowing.
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water before and during the flight to keep mucous membranes moist, supporting Eustachian tube function.
- Perform the Valsalva maneuver: Pinch your nostrils closed, keep your mouth shut, and gently blow air as if exhaling through your nose. This forces air into the Eustachian tubes, but perform it gently to avoid harm.
- Use specialized filtered earplugs, designed to slow the rate of air pressure change, giving ears more time to adjust.
- Avoid sleeping during descent, as being awake allows you to actively perform pressure-equalizing techniques.
- For infants and young children, encourage frequent swallowing during takeoff and landing by providing a bottle, pacifier, or drink.
- If you have a cold or allergies, use an over-the-counter nasal decongestant or saline nasal spray before the flight to reduce congestion and keep Eustachian tubes clear.
When to Consult a Doctor
While “airplane ears” often resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant medical attention. If ear discomfort, fullness, or muffled hearing persists for more than a few hours or days after your flight, consult a healthcare provider. Symptoms like severe pain, increased ear pressure, worsening hearing loss, ringing (tinnitus), or a spinning sensation (vertigo) also warrant professional evaluation.
Additional signs like bleeding or fluid discharge from the ear, or a fever, require immediate medical consultation. Pre-existing conditions such as colds, sinus infections, or allergies increase the likelihood and severity of “airplane ears.” If you have such conditions and anticipate flying, discussing preventive measures or medication with a doctor before your trip can mitigate problems.