corsica

Hello,
A family member (58) experiences some ear discomfort while the plane ascends/descends. Also, she feels her ears pop when swallowing once on ground.

How do you folks keep your ears pain free
during plane travel?

Thanks for any advice!

JohnD

I recently temporarily experienced this problem while traveling with a newly acquired cold on the way to Europe.

Only way for relief was to pinch close my nose and force air to the nose by inhaling and exhaling with pressure to "equalize" the ear pressure.

I wish I had not checked my decongestant in the luggage as I suspect this may have prevented the problem in the first place.

OO

What JohnD says....and he explained it much better than I could. I have to do this even without a cold, but it works like a charm every time.

CheBird

Before your ears actually get to the popping stage, be proactive and hold your nose shut and blow. I do it during takeoff to actually keep my ears from popping. I never have a problem for the rest the flght. And I have all sorts of issues with my inner ear.

El_Swainer

Have a doctor prescribe a decongestant to take before the flight.

FainaAgain

As this is an airline thread, do you think it will get moved to the airline forum?

pat

If you have an ear problem, use a nasal decongestant. The ears, nose, and eyes are all connected anyway.

tpatricco

My husband has sensitive ear drums. He uses "earplanes" an insert that you put in your ear to help with equalizing the pressure. They are available at local drug stores or most likely at a sundry shop in the airport terminal.

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp12445_33...protection.htm

socialworker

To follow up on the answer above, I often take a Sudafed (or the generic equivalent)--one of the little red pills, which is only half the dose, but does the trick-- one hour before landing. I have never noticed a need during take-off. Within 10 minutes or so, the fluid that would be blocking your ears and causing pain, begins to run out of your nose, so be prepared w/a tissue!

pilgrim

Earplanes have been my mainstay
for 3 years. Great product and
not terribly expensive.

lynnejoel1015

and chew gum! keeps the jaw moving which sometimes helps me.

Kennedy3

The last time I flew with a slight cold I had searing pain in both my ears, but more so on the left side. The next day I ended up at the ENT physician who said the blood vessels inside my left ear had severely ruptured. He put me on steroids for 10 days. Although he told me I wouldn't suffer any long-term damage, I really believe my hearing has diminished in the affected ear.

Never again will I fly with a cold without taking a decongestant. I know the OP wasn't specifically asking about flying with a cold, but I thought I would add my two cents since I never knew the possible consequences prior to that flight.

L84SKY

Another vote for Earplanes, it's the best 5 bucks she'll ever spend.

socialworker

HI,altho I am not a medical person, I can vouch for Kennedy's point of the possibility of doing real damage when flying w/a cold. I never get on a plane w/o some Sudafed in my purse. I, also, have used earplane--a good product--but only when I am sure that there is no possibility of my having a cold.

IamBooth

I am curious about the earplanes. How do they work when the problem is inside the ear, with no connection to outside where the plugs are?

MaureenB

Our doctor always suggests a few drops of warm olive oil into each ear, to clear congestion and ease pain. It has worked for our family. Try it twice a day, a few days before flying. Also have used earplanes, decongestants and mucinex, at various times.

socialworker

hi iam...if i remember correctly, they work by somehow equalizing the pressure inside and outside, but i am not sure they suffice if one has a cold or sinus condition that produces excess fluid.