What do I do to keep my ears from hurting on plain rides??? (Please see details before you answer)?

Question

My ears are in violent pain when I go on plane rides, in 6 days I am going on another plane ride, and this time I am taking two planes! My ears hurt so much that I literally feel like screaming. I've tried the little ear plugs, they didn't do anything. Any kind of medication, nope. Gum, yawning and basically all the usual stuff don't work. I am desperate for something that ACTUALLY works. And just to let you know, I've seen doctors already and they said the tubes in my ears are probably really small, but that doesn't help me at all, unless there's a way to make them bigger?? I think not.

Answer 1

Hello, I'm an Audiologist

The pain occurs when the pressure in the middle ear space is not equalized with the pressure in the environment. For most people, yawning and swallowing will open the Eustachian tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat to equalize the pressure. For some people this is not effective.

The ValSalva maneuver is a way to increase the air pressure in your middle ear. Hold your nose and mouth closed and blow gently to force the air up into the middle ear space. If you have nasal congestion, you may force mucus up in there which could lead to a middle ear infection, so be gentle but steadily increase the pressure to try to "pop" your ears.

I'm not sure if these are the plugs you used, but I used EarPlanes with my son when he was little and used to have chronic middle ear infections , and they helped. You have to have them in place BEFORE take-off and descent for the best effectiveness - the directions are very clear.
http://www.cirrushealthcare.com/EarPlanes-C8.aspx

Decongestants and nasal sprays can help reduce inflammation and congestion that can block the Eustachian tubes. These are only effective if that is the problem. I still would take them anyway (unless you have other reasons why you can't), to minimize these potential factors. I would also consider taking a preventative pain reliever (such as Advil) about 15-30 minutes prior to take of and landing so that it will help ease the pain as soon as it starts. You could also ask your doctor for a prescription for numbing ear drops that they give children for middle ear infections.

The only other option would be tympanostomy tubes that are surgically inserted into the eardrum to equalize the pressure. I doubt that the doctor or insurance would go for this unless you could document that there were medical problems beyond the pain sensation. And while those are in, you can't get water into your ears, so you need to wear plugs when bathing or swimming.

Good luck and have a pleasant flight!

Answer 2

I was exactly like you! When I'd tell people my ears hurt on plains, they'd say, "oh yeah, me too." But they were all full of it, because you and I know what REAL pain is.

BUT I found a way to get around it! Take two Benedryl pills about half an hour before your flight takes off. At least, this works for me. Some pharmacist in central America once told me to do it, and I tried it out and it worked. My ears used to go in crazy pain in every type of elevation change -- not just flying, but also when I drove to the mountains or something. But after that, it has never been a problem.

Now, I don't even take pills on flights anymore. It's just gone, and my ears never hurt anymore. I don't know why Benedryl worked for me, but it did, so why question it?

Good luck! Maybe it won't work the same for everyone, but it's worth a shot!

Answer 3

Ear pain on airplanes is due to your eustatian tubes which are in your ears not being able to adjust quickly enough to the rapidly decreasing pressure outside of your body. The higher pressure in your ears is trying to escape to equalise the pressure inside your ears and outside your body, but when it doesn't happen quickly enough it causes pain. There realyl might not be any way for you to ease the pain other than some ibuprophen if your tubes are small, but if you feel the pain again try the Valsalva manuver. While holding your nose while you try to blow air out of yoru nose. The only way for the pressure to escape is through your eustatian tubes and will usually clear things up. I have heard that there is some risk of damage by doing that, but it is a very slim risk. I'm no doctor, but I am a pilot and have had ear pain like you wouldn't believe, I know it can be a pain.

Answer 4

Ears Hurt On Plane

Answer 5

I am a certified clinical audiologist in MA.
*In response to the above, I would note that the current medical research does not support the use of decongestants for this concern.

If the EarPlanes earplugs do not work for you then I recommend having custom earplugs made for your ears. You can do this by visiting an audiologist (see www.asha.org to find one near you). Also if you have not been to see an ear specialist (otolaryngologist) I would recommend you see this kind of doctor. These two types of ear specialists typically work together.

The condition you have is called Eustachian tube dysfunction. Unfortunately you are right that your Eustachian tubes can not be enlarged, however there is an alternative procedure that can be performed, which is the placement of tympanostomy /PE (pressure equalizing) tubes. If you are suffering that greatly you can discuss this option with an ear specialist/otolaryngolgist.

Answer 6

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RE:
What do I do to keep my ears from hurting on plain rides??? (Please see details before you answer)?
My ears are in violent pain when I go on plane rides, in 6 days I am going on another plane ride, and this time I am taking two planes! My ears hurt so much that I literally feel like screaming. I've tried the little ear plugs, they didn't do anything. Any kind of medication, nope. Gum,...

Answer 7

I am not sure what the reason is that you are having the trouble or if you are adverse to all medications but I had a similar issue and I found a way to counteract it.

I had pain like knives stabbing in my head when I would fly due to my inability to pressurize correctly and usually shortly after arriving where I was going would get a massive sinus infection due to broken vessels while flying due to my inability to pressurize. This was a problem as I fly a couple of times per month. Here was what worked for me:

I take 1 dose (2 pills) of Sudafed Sinus 1 hour before take off. They are blue pills and sometimes a gelcap sometimes a tablet. They come in non drowsy, this is what I take.

A half hour prior to take off, I use nosespray. Afrin menthol for 12 hour sinus relief.

The spray will burn a bit, but that goes away pretty quickly.

That prevented my ear pain and my getting sick when I fly. I have zero trouble since I had a doctor recommend this to me.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Limit or avoid exposure to the noises you suspect are causing your tinnitus. If you cannot avoid loud noises, wear protective earplugs or earmuffs.
Try to ignore the sound by directing your attention to other things.
Practice relaxation techniques, such as biofeedback, meditation, or yoga. Stress and fatigue seem to make tinnitus worse. Read more:

Answer 10

This always works for me
Gum is the answer but not just any gum get the bubblelicious kind just like you did when you were a kid. The bigger the piece the better! A piece of big red just dosent cut it.

Good Luck have a safe flight