Does this happen to you on the plane?

Question

My ears " pop " i know it is normal because of the high altitude. How do you help this?

I know people chew gum but are there any other things?

Answer 1

You will get used to that pressure variance!! .. just fly few more times and that's it .. your body will understand and learn...

Answer 2

Yawning also helps

Edit:

I did not mention the Valsalva maneuver on purpose because if it is utilized in a less than trained manner one can cause irreparable damage to ones' ears and/or eyes.  Since one is providing advice to an unknown audience one should utilize care in giving suggestions.  As mentioned by yourself and others chewing gum, swallowing and yawning are the safer means of equalizing pressure.  Increased pressure differential with in the ear is a normal occurrence during an aircraft's ascending and/or descending phase of flight and is further aggravated in individuals afflicted by a cold or inner ear infection.  Infact, one should avoid flying with a cold or sinus infection.

The above is based on 25 years of flight experience and I dedicated a good amount of time to understanding effects of flight on human physiology, especially high altitude flight!!

Answer 3

Stuff your ears before boarding the plane.

Answer 4

Taking a decongestant for a short flight may work but long flights, say over 4 hours or so it probably the worst thing you can do...you will wind up hurting yourself.

Answer 5

the vasalva manevuer- Pinch your nose, seal your mouth and blow as hard as you can.

The reverse vasalva- pinch your nose, close your mouth and swallow.

the first one is for going from high pressure to low pressure (climb) and vice versa.

I was always akin to yawning.

After a while of flying, you dont even notice it.

Answer 6

i just pretend to blow my nose

Answer 7

If you do the valsalva, don't blow as hard as you can.  You can damage your ears.  Just blow gently.  Scuba divers do this too.  But, don't scuba and fly within 48 hours..good luck.

Answer 8

Just get hammered at the airport bar.

You'll never notice.

Answer 9

Things You'll Need

    * Liquid to drink

    * Ear plugs

    * Gum or food

    * Decongestant (Non-drowsy, over-the-counter)

Steps

1

Step One

Ask the pharmacist to recommend an ear plug specifically designed for flying. There is an assortment on the market for this purpose.

2

Step Two

Find a decongestant that is nondrowsy and can be carried on the plane with you. There are many pill forms for adults and chewable tablets for children.

3

Step Three

About 30 minutes prior to take off, take the decongestant so it has time to work through your system. Take an additional dose if needed during the flight if the first dose wears off before landing.

4

Step Four

Place the ear plugs in your ears once seated on the plane. They will block out background noise, but you should still be able to hear the flight attendant speak.

5

Step Five

Some ear plugs should be twisted into your ears. Read the instructions provided to make sure they are properly inserted.

6

Step Six

Once your plane reaches full altitude, you may remove the earplugs.

7

Step Seven

Reinsert the ear plugs prior to the plane's descent.

Answer 10

First of all, you should not fly with a bad cold, or if you have an ear infection, as these will prevent the following refief techniques.

Ascending, the cabin air pressure is lessening and the air behind your eardrums should naturally expel through your eustation tubes. You might feel some pressure or hearing change, but it should not be painfull.

During descent, the cabin air pressure is increasing and pressing on the outside of your eardrum. to equalize this pressure, the "valsalva maneuver" is recommended. This is simply holding your nose and gently blowing until your ears "pop". Don't do this forcfully. Yawning, use of decongestants, or chewing gum, as suggested here, are also good ways to open those eustation tubes and let the air equalize on both sides of your eardrum.

Although some recommend earplugs, I have 2 issues with those. First, any plug that can pass sound will eventually pass air pressure, and the pressure changes very slowly in an airliner. If you use "air proof" plugs, they could be pushed into your ear too far by the increasing pressure. Putting anything into your ears in an attempt to block the pressure is hazardous.

Answer 11

Sudafed.

Answer 12

Pinch your nose and blow gently. In addition to Thudley's astute observations: my experience flying with a cold, bad news. I felt that the increasing and unequalized pressure would blow both my eyeballs out of my skull. From row 7, I was the last person off the plane.