The moment the airplane starts to taxi, you brace yourself. You know that the moment the plane starts the ascent you will feel tremendous pressure and possibly pain in your ears. This condition, which the Mayo Clinic calls airplane ear, is natural. If you are bothered by airplane ear, there are things you can do to enjoy your flight in comfort.
The pain and pressure you feel in your ears when traveling occurs because of the anatomy of the ear and the changing air pressure on the flight. The middle ear contains a tiny tube called the Eustachian tube. This connects the middle ear to the back of the nose, working to maintain equal pressure on the inside and outside of the eardrum. When you fly, the change in air pressure happens quite quickly, unlike it does in normal circumstances.
The pain and pressure in the ear comes because the muscle that opens the Eustachian tube does not open and close quickly enough or wide enough to keep up with the changes in pressure. The best way to combat this problem is to find artificial ways to open that tube by activating those muscles through other means.
Any motion that causes the throat muscles to move quickly is a good option to try to equalize that pressure. Chewing gum and sucking on hard candy or mints works well, not because of the chewing motion, but because these actions make you swallow more frequently, and the swallowing motion activates the right muscles. Yawning also works.
The Mayo Clinic also advocates the Valsalva maneuver. This involves pinching your nose closed with your fingers, closing your mouth, and gently blowing air through your nose like you would if you were blowing your nose. The air will not be able to escape, and this will force the Eustachian tubes to open. When you perform these actions, you may notice that your ears pop, a sensation that occurs when the pressure quickly equalizes. Do not be alarmed by this.
In addition, the Mayo Clinic states that some doctors will tell patients who have chronic or severe problems with ear pain on airplanes to use decongestants, either pills or sprays, and antihistamines to improve the function of the Eustachian tubes. Sleeping during takeoff or landing can make the problem worse, so try to stay awake until your ears have adjusted. If you have a sinus infection and can reschedule your trip, do so, because sinus problems will make the ear pressure while traveling worse.
Dr. Karen Sokal-Gutierrez states that babies older than 3 years old can safely chew gum to aid in this problem on an airplane. If your children are too young to chew gum or suck on candy, consider giving them a snack or drink during take off and landing. Your goal is to get them to swallow. Babies may find relief with a bottle or nursing session. Sleeping babies may have more discomfort, so try to wake your baby up during takeoff and landing. If the baby is not hungry, try using a pacifier to stimulate the sucking motion.
