Avoid flying if at all possible if you have a respiratory infection, particularly an ear or sinus infection, the day before a flight. See if it's possible to change your tickets and plans.
Begin taking decongestants the day before the flight. Decongestants such as Sudafed will start to shrink the inflamed tissues inside your sinuses and eustachian tubes, minimizing the possibility of a painful blockage.
Spray your sinuses with a children's strength nasal spray before boarding the airplane. This will open the eustachian tube for takeoff. If you are unable to use nasal spray comfortably, try nose drops.
Chew gum as the plane takes off. The constant motion of your jaw may clear any blockage in your sinuses or eustachian tube, allowing your middle ear to equalize the air pressure as the plane ascends. If you don't like chewing gum, sucking on a hard candy will have much the same effect of keeping the eustachian tube open.
Swallow or yawn frequently during the flight, especially during takeoff and landing. These actions change the air pressure inside your respiratory system and help your ears to "pop."
Wear ear plugs during the flight. Ear plugs slow the rate at which air flows into your outer ear, thus allowing your middle ear time to deal with the air pressure changes of flight. Ear Planes are a type of ear plug that were developed for Air Force pilots, and are now sold to the public for the purpose of dealing with air pressure changes on airplanes.
Perform the Valsalva maneuver when you feel the pressure building in your ears. To perform the Valsalva maneuver, pinch your nostrils shut with your fingers. While keeping your mouth shut, exhale gently through your closed nostrils. You should feel a slight "pop" in your ears, which is the sign of the air pressure equalizing.
As your plane approaches its destination, use the pediatric nasal spray again three times, five minutes apart. Sit upright as the plane descends to help the air pressure equalize.
