I just took a flight from France for 6 hours. We landed approximately 28 hours ago and my right ear still has yet to pop. It feels as if I dived into a pool and got water in it.
I have a cold, but I wasn't able to not get on the plane because I was with a school group. :( I don't really have any pain but I can feel it pop a little at times.
I've tried all of the common remedies - blowing while holding your nose, chewing gum (chewed an entire pack ._. ), sucking on mints, nasal spray, sudafed, sinus meds, allergy meds, yawning, burping, opening and closing my mouth, everything.
I tried searching online but I just get really scary answers with words such as "incision" and "metal sticks" and "surgery". Please note, I'm not trying to unclog my ear, I just need to get rid of the pressure. Any help would be verryyy much appreciated because I'm getting kind of worried now.
2006-06-18 12:28:09 · 8 answers · asked by amenomusicista 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Behind your ear drum is an air pocket - the middle ear - that is connected to the back of the throat by the Eustachian tube. That tube will open and close again when swallowing or yawning to equalize the air pressure in the middle ear to that of the environment around you. That is why it is often recommended to chew gum or suck on hard candy during take-off and landing. For some people, the Eustachian tube does not function properly, and when the pressure builds up, sound can be muffled and you might hear noises (like ringing) in your ears. If the pressure does not resolve, it can lead to a build up of fluid behind the eardrum, which restricts its movement even more.
If your eustachian tubes are not functioning properly, which can be due to upper respiratory ailments like allergies, or a cold, or sore throat; and the pressure can be quite painful. Some people take antihistamines and/or decongestants as a precautionary measure for a few days prior to their flight to minimize the chance of this happening.
There are special ear plugs available -- called EarPlanes -- that allow the pressure to change more gradually. They are in most large drug store outlets in the US, like CVS or Eckerds, or from the manufacturer's web site: http://www.mellenmedical.com/earplane.htm . I used them with my son when he was younger and prone to middle ear infections. They seemed to work well.
If the pressure builds up anyway, you could try to force some air into the middle ear by holding your breath (pinch your nose if needed) and blowing gently and steadily for a few seconds to force air pressure through the Eustachian tubes into the middle ear. This is called a ValSalva maneuver -- be careful not to blow too hard or you could damage your ears.
In your case, keep trying the ValSalva - the fact that you are getting it to pop sometimes is a good sign that there may not be any fluid build-up. You list a few medications, but state that it's been 28 hours -- you have to give the medication a chance to work, so continue to use something consistently so it can do its job. If the pressure is still there after a couple more days, or if you have pain, fever, dizziness, or drainage from the ear, see a doctor.
2006-06-23 17:38:27 · answer #1 · answered by HearKat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Positive or less positive altitude pressures will cause the ears to pop. The sudden convexing seems more serious than it actually is. Just swallow of chew gum; he helps.
2006-06-18 12:38:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would speak to a doctor about this if it doesnt go away in a few days. It sounds like a very slight case of decomression sickness, but I'm not to sure.
2006-06-18 12:37:55 · answer #3 · answered by crazy_airforce_guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't wait until you land. Start chewing gum earlier and you don't really have to yawn. Just open your mouth real wide like you're going to.
2016-05-20 01:00:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know i hate that feeling.. try to breathe through ur mouth.. thats what my mom told me.. i tried to go to the the bath tub and go under the water for 20 secs and come out and suprisingly it was popped.. but its basicly your ears arenot yet used to the pressure
2006-06-18 12:33:57 · answer #5 · answered by Sad Monkey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try some Musinex( guiafenessin 400 mg)to unclog your sinuses, and if that doesn't work,get ear drops that are for cleaning out the wax.
2006-06-18 12:35:44 · answer #6 · answered by dragonwythe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OH MY GOD I totally feel your pain, this happened to me to.Have you gone to sleep yet? What happened with me was that nothing worked until I went to sleep.Whe I woke up I felt normal.
2006-06-18 12:33:55 · answer #7 · answered by poisonpassion 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have someone slap the hell outta both ears while the plane is still taxiing, that'll help ya!
2006-06-18 12:34:15 · answer #8 · answered by An FN Idiot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋