When the plane takes off and ascends to a high altitude or descends before landing, the air pressure changes sharply and quickly. The middle ear, which is connected to the throat cavity through the Eustachian tube, is supposed to balance the internal pressures with those outside. But when this tube is blocked, sometimes due to nasal congestion, a cold, or allergies, the pressure does not balance – resulting in pain, a feeling of pressure, and ear fullness.
When the ears remain blocked after landing and the pressure is not released immediately, it may cause significant discomfort and sometimes even temporary hearing difficulty. Usually, the sensation passes within a few hours to a few days, as the body adapts to the environmental pressures at the new destination.
The simplest and most effective solution
Chewing gum or sucking on a hard candy activates the jaw and swallowing muscles, which helps open the Eustachian tube and release the pressure in the ears. This is a simple, accessible, and effective action that can almost immediately ease the unpleasant sensations. Additional tips to help you fly comfortably:
• Gentle pumping: Close your nose and mouth and try to exhale gently through the nose – an action that creates internal pressure and opens the ear canal.
• Decongestant nasal spray: Recommended before the flight for those who suffer from allergies or a cold, to improve airflow through the Eustachian tube.
• Drinking and swallowing: Drink water or offer children a pacifier or bottle during takeoffs and landings. Every swallow helps balance the pressure.
• Pressure-reducing earplugs: There are dedicated earplugs that help ease pressure changes during the flight.
Children and infants: How to ease things for them?
Young children and infants usually suffer more from nasal and ear congestion, and therefore they feel ear pressure disturbances more strongly and endure more discomfort during flights. Since they cannot chew gum, it is important to offer them a pacifier, bottle, or water during takeoff and landing. Frequent swallowing helps open the Eustachian tube and reduces the pressure.
If the child has a runny nose and suffers from nasal congestion or respiratory illnesses in the days before a flight, in order to help and ease the situation and prevent it from worsening the sensation of pressure and causing sharp ear pain, it is recommended to already use decongestant sprays or antihistamines (allergy medications), and repeat the dose about half an hour before takeoff. If the flight lasts more than 4 hours, it is recommended to use the spray again about half an hour before landing.
Tips for relief after landing
• Be patient; in most cases, the body adapts to the pressure in a short time.
• Continue swallowing or chewing gum (for adults) after landing until the sensation improves.
• Avoid repeated flights within a very short time if the ears have not yet returned to normal function.
When should you see a doctor?
If the sensation lasts more than a few days, accompanied by severe pain, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or dizziness, it is important to consult an ear, nose, and throat doctor promptly. In rarer cases, prolonged pressure can cause damage to the eardrum or other ear problems that require immediate treatment by a specialist.
Dr. Waseem Watad, specialist in ear surgery and hearing rehabilitation, tinnitus and dizziness, A.R.M, the Multidisciplinary Center for ENT Medicine, adjacent to the A.R.M H.EAR Hearing Institute.