For the past couple of years my ears have hurt for a long time after I have ben on a flight. This did not use to be the case. And just recently my wife is experiencing the same problem. We have just done a couple of European flights and have an International one coming up in August to USA which includes an internal flight during our stay.
Does anyone here know of any way to stop this happening please.
2007-02-22 00:19:54 · 14 answers · asked by shoodoo 1 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
My guess (and I am not a doctor) is that you have poor ventilation to your inner ear. Behind your ear drums, there is a small air pocket, and a passage called the eustachian tube leads from each side to the back of your throat. If this is blocked, that air pocket can't equalize pressure with the outside world. This puts pressure in or out on the eardrum, depending on what the outside world is doing today.
You can help equalize this pressure in a couple of ways. First, try getting your ears to pop by yawning or wiggling your jaw. That clicking sensation in your ears is your eardrum flexing a bit when you do this, and it means that your eustachian tubes are open. If that doesn't work, pinch your nose closed, close your mouth, and blow gently to make your ears pop. If you still can't clear, try taking an over-the-counter decongestant like Sudafed. Your last step is to see a doctor, but that's probably necessary except for severe cases.
2007-02-22 00:29:20 · answer #1 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem. Take some Sudafed before the flight and swallow a lot during the flight. Make your jaw stretch open as far as you can to "crack" your ear drum. This should help.
I've also asked pilots to try and fly low or when landing, try and come down slowly and not so fast. This helps my ears. I do think they try to be helpful too.
Wish you luck. By the way, a pharmacist told me about the Sudafed to help my ears. Just make sure if you're taking other meds., that you can take sudafed too.
2007-02-22 00:30:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The in-ear thingy someone referred to is the answer. From the supermarket, chemist, or at the airport. My wife uses them all the time and no longer has that problem. I had it one time, on my first-ever flight, and it's a killer!
But I cannot believe some of the answers you have had, including asking the pilot to fly low, or slow! I would not do that! The pilot will laugh so hard he will probably kill himself, and then you will all be in trouble!
2007-02-24 04:30:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can buy "Earplanes" which are very good if you put them in before take-off and leave them in for short flights. I had the same problem some years ago and they worked very well. It is usually landing that is worse as the plane loses height much quicker and the pressure therefore alters that much quicker in your ears. You must have the earplugs in at least 45 minutes before touchdown if it is a long-haul flight.
2007-02-22 11:34:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe this is down to cabin pressure. Apparently some older aircraft have really bad pressure thus leaving the passengers with painful ears - especially in descent.
So firstly, I would try and make sure you fly with an airline with a young fleet.
2007-02-22 00:29:15 · answer #5 · answered by jaylondon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what i suggest is try using cotton wool or ear plugs these should help during the lfight breathre thorugh your nose after and even during the flight yawn regueraly when you do this you will feel your ears popping this will help release the pressure in your ears
2007-02-22 00:28:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try these earplug type things called EarPlanes, you can get them from the supermarket or chemist, they stop the pressure changing so quickly in your ears and hopefully will stop the pain or at least make it much shorter.
2007-02-22 00:28:02 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chewing gum or sucking boiled sweets helps with painful ear syndrome, barley sugar is pretty good.
2007-02-22 08:59:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is probably due to the change in air pressure. You should keep yawning. You should not seal of your mouth. If you do, you won't be able to balance the pressure. If it is really bad, suck on a sweet.
2007-02-22 00:29:04 · answer #9 · answered by Hardrock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
drink lots of water, no high sodium foods, and check with your doctor, but I recommend a severe decongestant about 30-40 minutes before landing, and blow your nose lightly on descent to equalize pressure.
2007-02-22 15:47:20 · answer #10 · answered by anitaprincess82 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋