how do i get my hearing back to normal when i get off an airplane?

Question

for some reason everytime i get off an airplane i can barely hear.i lasts for a while,how do i get my normal hearing back?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

There are 2 causes:

1) airplanes are really loud but you don't notice it. I have permanent hearing loss from traveling so much; now I always wear those foam earplugs from before takeoff until we reach the gate. If you don't it'll take your hearing awhile to recover, like after you leave a loud concert.

2) could be air pressure, it usually happens to me when we descend that my ears get "clogged" up. Google for "eustachian tubes" for a picture. There's a very delicate and dangerous technique to open them up and equalize the pressure:
- pinch your nostrils shut
- close your mouth
- with your other hand, close up one ear airtight
- VERY GENTLY and SLOWLY exhale (blow out) so the pressure inside your ear increases. TAKE IT EASY or you'll destory your eardrum. You should feel the pressure release and your ear will open up.
- repeat with the other ear.
I usually have to do this about 2x during a descent / landing.

Answer 3

If gum etc. do not work (they never work for me) you need to do what jonny P said - do what scuba divers do...pinch your nostrils closed - then blow hard - your ears will pop and the pressure inside your head will normalize with outside. Once I went 2 days not hearing after flying and someone suggested it to me - worked like a charm. Now I do it all the time. It takes 2 seconds and you will hear right away!

Answer 4

Take a big yawn & repeat it several times 7 chew gum.

Answer 5

if it's pressurization in your ears.. (which it prob. is) you can do it 2 ways, you can chew gum on the plane... which will help keep it from happening, or when it does happen (this is what i do) you can reduce the pressurization the scuba-diving way... which is close your mouth, hold your nose and blow... i know that sounds funny but it works... just don't do it so hard that you hurt your eardrums...

Answer 6

You should chew gum while in flight and when you get off grab your nose, close your mouth and exhale... your ears will pop and you will feel a bit better.

Answer 7

the best thing i found out is to make yourself yawn,or chew gum while you are flying.and then there is the old trick of putting your hand over your moputh and blowing into it ,.basically you are gonna pop your ears.

Answer 8

Several thing I do, with varying success; chew gum, swallow, yawn, plugged blow. The worst is when allergies are acting up.

Answer 9

Try swallowing it relieves the pressure in the inner ear

Answer 10

just simply chew gum