Ear problems from flight
 

The last couple of times I've flown I've experienced significant ear pain/problems from the cabin pressure immediately prior to landing and then my ears remain "plugged" for several hours after the flight. I've been advised to chew gum and to buy something called "earplanes". Any other suggestions or remedies that might help avoid or reduce this problem?

Posha,
I have the same problem when landing..but i usually start chewing gum the minute i know we will be decending..the pain is usually not so bad, and once we land, its gone..as for something more medical..cant help you there!..sorry..

Nasal spray helps. Taking a sinus medication that will dry you up will help.
Last weekends flight into Newark had my ears hurting, but usually they pop on their own once I give a big yawn :)

I agree with Scarlett--try taking Sudafed or similar decongestant an hour or two before landing, and do the gum, too!

Sinus tylenol helps me.

Posha - I agree with Scarlett too. My ear nose & throat doc suggested that I use nasal spray about an hour before the flight and it worked wonders. I just buy an OTC product like Afrin.

My husband swears by earplanes on landing...

I generally experience major problems with my ears, sometimes for days after a flight. My Dr. gives me samples of Flonase, and sometimes I take a sudafed generic too. That seems to help, but if anyone has any more suggestions, I'd be grateful. (earplanes do not help me. )

Try swallowing saliva, it helps me, hopefully it'll help you too.

I have found earplanes work the best. I put them in before take-off (not as necessary according to my Dr.) and before landing and have not had a problem since I have done this. I do use nasal spray and sudefed also.

Earplanes worked really well for me.

I learned a trick not long ago on a flight. I could not get my ear to "unplug" as the plane was decending and I got very scared about bursting the ear drum, so I asked the flight attendent for some help. She brought me a styrafoam cup with a hot wet towel in the bottom, to hold up to my ear and it worked very nicely.

Hope this helps.

I shared this information on a prior thread in July.

Author: leslie
Date: 07/31/2003, 11:18 pm

Message: You can try chewing gum, but one of the remedies that I've seen used successfully on planes is to get the flight attendant to get you two plastic cups, and in the cups are damp paper towels. The damp paper towels and cups are heated in the microwave. Place the cups over your ears at take off and landing. The steam and warmth relieves the pressure on your eardrums. You'll need to get the cups zapped again just before landing.

I have horrible problems with my ears and pressure. Flonase works great, and I usually couple that with a decongestant. (Because of my condition, it's normally prescription, but just about anything should work for a normal person) Also, something my doctor told me: fluid retention causes discomfort with ears. The pressurized cabin of an airplane causes the body to retain fluid. So, it is best to avoid overly salty foods before flying, drink plenty of water (both before and during the flight), and refrain from alcohol before and during the flight. This has always worked for me.

I take sudafed 12 hour when I fly, especially on long flights. I also take an antihistamine and use flonase daily for allergies). If I know I am stuffy already, I use a nasal spray, like Afrin. And I always drink water while descending. Keep a bottle, and as soon as you notice the descent, start taking sips on a regular basis. This combination of stragies has always helped me. Also, if you still have pain, take advil/tylenol when you fly. that at least dulls it. (me, a walking pharmacy when I fly).

Thanks to all who responded for the great tips and advice. I'm headed to the pharmacy now to prepare for my hopefully comfortable Saturday flight!

I take a claritin and a sudafed. This has helped me before.

We swear by Advil Cold and Sinus. Its got sudafed in it.

Posha
I had horrible ear pain upon landing, nothing helped until someone told me to use Afrin nasal spray at least an hour befor landing. It works wonderfully for me!!

Here's another recommendation for powerful decongestants. My pharmaceuticals of choice are Flonase (prescription) and Drixoral Non-Drowsy. Best to start on the recommended doses a day or two before departure.

I, personally, would recommend avoiding anything to "dry you out" including any anti-histamines. In fact, I've added "saline spray" to my regimen to "keep all those passages moist".

I, personally, also believe that there's something to the "water retention" theory. Airline food is chock full of sodium/salt. (Ever since I made meatloaf sandwiches instead of tossing same and was much more comfortable on that overnight flight, well...)

Alcohol renders you retaining fluid. Water is best. Diet sodas are full of chemicals, fruit juices are full of sugars.

It's best not to resist the urge (though you are closely contained "in public") to sneeze or blow your nose - lest you contribute to "stuffiness" in all those "passages".

All in all, avoiding salt, drinking only water, bringing my own food, sneezing and blowing my nose at the urge, has all helped me, anyway, enormously.

Gum chewing and yawning are effective sometimes, along with pinching the nostrils and GENTLY blowing.

The gum, cups/warm towels and yawning, "earplanes", moist towels, etc., have never worked for me, anyway.

Though, everyone is different, and you just never know what may do the job in your particular case.

Since our children flew the coup five years ago we have indulged our passion for travel. Two months ago, my husband experienced a sudden, complete hearing loss in his right ear, accompanied by severe dizziness, which has prevented him working. He often has trouble with ear pain on flights. We have tried various things, but so far nothing helps. We asked the doctor if frequent flying caused the deafness, he said no one knows what causes this syndrome (officially called Sudden Nerve Hearing Loss). Understandably, my husband is now extremely loathe to fly again for fear of increased pain and/or problems with his other ear. I have been very interested in this thread (thanks posha) and will print it out for him.

I learned this from a flight attendent and have been told it is used by scuba divers, just hold ur nose and blow out. I have been doing that for about 20 years, and I have NEVER had a problem since. I am unsure if it is unsafe, so do it carefully.

A few years ago I was flying out of London, (with a head cold) could not avoid the trip. Since then I have had ear problems, ringing in the ears, pain sometimes that is horrible! I avoided plane travel, as long as I could. Then #1 daughter moved to Dallas area. 5 hour flight for us. After seeing a few medical docs, I pretty much, decided to seek alternate forms of help. Starting with accupuncture, which sometimes helps, along with herbs. Why am I going on about this? Please if you have a cold think twice about flying.
I now have my own things that work pretty well for me. Ear plugs inserted 1 hour before departure. Chewing gum and sipping water, especially as we are experiencing any change in cabin pressure. It is the constant swallowing of water that makes the difference for me.Hope this helps.