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| Airplane Ears |
Signs and Symptoms
1. Feeling of fullness in the ears.
2. Ringing in the ears.
3. Dizziness.
4. Moderate to acute pain or discomfort inside the ears.
5. Possibly some temporary hearing loss.
What to do now
1. Simply swallowing can help. This makes the muscle active that opens the tube leading to the middle ear. Try this just before and during the plane’s descent; chew gum or suck on candy so you’ll swallow more often. Yawning works the same way. Avoid sleeping during descent.
2. If swallowing and yawning don’t work, try this more active way to unplug your ears:
3. Take a deep breath through your mouth; then hold your nose and try to breathe out gently while keeping your mouth closed. This can help force air through the tubes between your nose and ears. You may have to do this several times during descent.
If you’re flying with an infant:
1. Give your baby something to drink during landing. Babies can’t “Pop” their ears on purpose, but sucking on a bottle may do the trick.
2. Wake your infant prior to descent.
When to call a doctor
1. If your ears don’t clear, or if pain persists for several hours after flying.
2. If you’re planning a plane trip and have recently had ear surgery. Consult with your doctor on how soon you may fly safely.
How to prevent it
1. If you have a allergy attack, cold, or sinus infection, it’s best to postpone a plane trip.
2. If you can’t:
Some air travelers find relief by using a decongestant pill or nasal spray about an hour before landing.
People with allergies should take their medication about an hour before landing-but if it’s prescription medicine, follow your
doctor’s directions.
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