Feeling that painful pressure in your ears during takeoff or landing? You’re not alone. Millions of travelers experience what’s commonly called airplane ear-a sharp, sometimes debilitating discomfort caused by pressure changes in the cabin. It’s not just annoying; it can temporarily muffle your hearing, make your ears ring, or even cause dizziness. For people with colds, allergies, or chronic ear issues, flying can feel like a gamble. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to suffer. With the right techniques and preparation, you can fly without pain.
Why Your Ears Hurt When Flying
Your middle ear is a small air-filled space behind the eardrum. It’s connected to the back of your throat by a tiny tube called the Eustachian tube. This tube opens when you swallow, yawn, or chew, letting air flow in or out to balance pressure on both sides of your eardrum. When the plane climbs or descends, the air pressure outside your ear changes fast-sometimes 0.5 psi every 1,000 feet. If your Eustachian tube doesn’t open quickly enough, your eardrum gets pulled inward or pushed outward. That’s when you feel the pressure, pain, or fullness. Children are more prone to this because their Eustachian tubes are shorter, narrower, and more horizontal than adults’. That makes it harder for them to equalize pressure naturally. Adults with congestion from colds, sinus infections, or allergies face the same problem-the tube gets swollen shut. Even a mild stuffy nose can turn a smooth flight into a painful ordeal.What Happens During Ascent and Descent
During ascent, cabin pressure drops. The air inside your middle ear expands, pushing your eardrum outward. This usually doesn’t hurt much because the excess air can escape through the Eustachian tube. Most people don’t even notice it. But during descent? That’s when trouble starts. Cabin pressure rises, squeezing your eardrum inward. If your tube won’t open, the pressure difference builds. At 500-1,000 feet above the ground, the difference can hit 40 mmHg-enough to cause real pain. That’s why most ear problems happen right before landing. The good news? You can train your body to respond. The key is to open that tube before the pressure gets too extreme. Waiting until you feel pain means you’re already behind.Proven Ways to Equalize Ear Pressure
There are several techniques, each with different success rates and safety profiles. Not all work for everyone, but trying a few can make a big difference.- Swallowing and yawning: The simplest method. It works for about 65% of people. Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or sip water frequently during descent. Swallowing activates the muscles that open the Eustachian tube. For babies, bottle-feeding or nursing during descent is more effective than sipping from a cup-stronger swallowing helps.
- Toynbee maneuver: Pinch your nose closed and swallow. This creates suction that helps open the tube. It’s safer than blowing and works well for adults and older kids. Success rate: around 68%.
- Valsalva maneuver: Pinch your nose, close your mouth, and gently blow. This forces air into the middle ear. It’s effective for 82% of users, but risky if done too hard. Blowing too forcefully can rupture the eardrum or damage the inner ear. Only use gentle pressure-like blowing through a straw. Never force it.
- Lowry technique: Combine Valsalva and Toynbee. Pinch your nose, blow gently, and swallow at the same time. This boosts success to 89%, but it’s hard to do without practice. Most people need at least three flights to get it right.
- Jaw wiggle: Move your jaw side to side while swallowing. This subtle movement helps stretch the muscles around the Eustachian tube. Studies show it improves success by 22% in children. Try it with your kids during descent.
- Voluntary Tubal Opening: A trained technique where you tense the soft palate and push your jaw forward. It’s 92% effective for those who master it-but takes 8-12 weeks of daily practice. Not practical for occasional travelers.
Earplugs Designed for Flying
Filtered earplugs like EarPlanes were developed to slow down pressure changes. They use a ceramic filter to reduce the rate of pressure shift by 37%. That gives your ears 28 seconds instead of 15 to equalize naturally. In clinical trials, they helped 76% of users avoid pain. But they’re less effective if you have chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction. They’re inexpensive-around $5 a pair-and reusable. Best used from the start of descent. Don’t wait until you feel pressure. Put them in at 8,000 feet or when the seatbelt sign turns off. Many frequent flyers swear by them, especially when combined with jaw wiggles or swallowing.
Decongestants and Nasal Sprays: Use With Caution
If you’re congested, a decongestant can help your Eustachian tube open. Oxymetazoline nasal spray (like Afrin) shrinks swollen tissue in 10 minutes. It’s 85% effective when used 30-60 minutes before descent. But don’t use it for more than 3 days-it can cause rebound congestion. Oral pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) lasts longer-8 to 12 hours. But it can raise blood pressure and heart rate. The FDA warns against it for adults over 40 with heart conditions. Never give oral decongestants to children under 6. There are rare but documented cases of fast heartbeat and seizures in young kids. Nasal steroid sprays like fluticasone (Flonase) are a safer long-term option. Research shows they reduce inflammation in the Eustachian tube by 61% when used daily for a week before flying. They don’t work instantly, but if you fly often or have allergies, they’re worth trying.What NOT to Do
Many people make the same mistakes-and end up in more pain.- Waiting until it hurts: 68% of people who suffer airplane ear wait too long. By then, the pressure difference is too big. Start equalizing early-when the plane starts descending, not when your ears feel blocked.
- Blowing too hard: 41% of inner ear injuries from flying come from forceful Valsalva. Gentle is better. Think of it as a whisper, not a shout.
- Sleeping during descent: This is the #1 reason kids have ear pain. If you’re asleep, you’re not swallowing. Set an alarm. Wake up 30 minutes before landing. Do a few swallows. Chew gum. Move your jaw.
- Using decongestants without checking with a doctor: Especially if you’re over 40, have high blood pressure, or take heart medication. Talk to your doctor first.
What Airlines Are Doing to Help
You might not know it, but airlines are working to reduce ear pressure problems. Newer planes like the Boeing 787 maintain cabin pressure at 6,000 feet instead of the old standard of 8,000 feet. That’s a 25% reduction in pressure difference. Delta Airlines now uses a gentler 3-degree descent angle instead of 3.5 degrees, slowing pressure changes by 14%. Flight crews are trained to recognize ear pain and offer tips. Since 2021, all major U.S. carriers have formal protocols for handling passenger discomfort during descent.
When to See a Doctor
If you have frequent ear pain during flights, it might be more than just congestion. Chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction affects about 5% of adults. Signs include:- Pain or fullness that lasts more than a few hours after landing
- Repeated hearing loss after flying
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) that doesn’t go away
- Dizziness or balance issues linked to flying
Quick Checklist for a Pain-Free Flight
- 24-48 hours before: Use nasal steroid spray daily if you have allergies
- 1 hour before flight: Take oral decongestant (if approved by your doctor) or use nasal spray
- During ascent: Swallow often, chew gum
- During descent (start at 8,000 feet): Use filtered earplugs, swallow every few minutes, wiggle your jaw, try Toynbee or Lowry technique
- For kids: Give a bottle, sippy cup, or pacifier during descent. Wake them up 30 minutes before landing
- Never: Blow your nose hard, sleep through descent, or force the Valsalva maneuver
What’s Next for Air Travel and Ear Health
The future looks promising. Bose is testing smart earplugs with pressure sensors that give real-time feedback on whether you’ve equalized properly. The FAA is considering a 2025 rule that would require all new planes to keep cabin altitude below 6,500 feet during descent. For now, the best tools are simple: awareness, timing, and gentle techniques. You don’t need expensive gadgets or risky meds. Just know how your ears work, act before pain hits, and don’t wait until it’s too late.Can flying damage your hearing permanently?
Permanent hearing damage from flying is extremely rare-only about 0.02% of cases involve eardrum rupture. Most people experience temporary discomfort or muffled hearing that clears up within hours or days. But repeated forceful Valsalva maneuvers or untreated chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction can lead to long-term issues like tinnitus or hearing loss. If pain lasts more than 24 hours after landing, see a doctor.
Are earplugs for flying worth it?
Yes, for most people. Filtered earplugs like EarPlanes slow pressure changes, giving your ears more time to adjust. Studies show they reduce pain in 76% of users. They’re cheap, reusable, and safe. Combine them with swallowing or jaw movements for even better results. They won’t fix chronic dysfunction, but they help a lot for occasional flyers.
Can I fly with an ear infection?
It’s not recommended. An active ear infection or severe congestion blocks the Eustachian tube, making pressure equalization nearly impossible. Flying under these conditions increases the risk of eardrum rupture, severe pain, or long-term damage. If you have an infection, delay your flight if possible. If you must fly, consult your doctor about safe decongestants and consider using earplugs and gentle swallowing techniques.
Why do kids have worse ear pain than adults?
Children’s Eustachian tubes are shorter, narrower, and more horizontal than adults’, making them easier to block. They also don’t swallow or yawn as often during flight. Bottle-feeding during descent helps because it triggers stronger swallowing. For older kids, chewing gum or using a pacifier works. Always wake them up 30 minutes before landing and encourage swallowing.
How long before a flight should I use nasal spray?
For decongestant sprays like Afrin, use them 30-60 minutes before takeoff. For nasal steroids like Flonase, you need to use them daily for at least a week before flying-they reduce inflammation over time. Don’t rely on steroids for last-minute relief. They work best as a preventive measure, especially if you fly often or have allergies.
Jasneet Minhas
So let me get this straight - I pay $800 for a ticket, get squished in a tin can at 35,000 feet, and now I’m supposed to chew gum like a toddler to avoid my eardrums turning into popcorn? 😅 But hey, if swallowing works better than my ex’s apologies, I’ll take it. 🍬👂
Eli In
I’m from the Philippines and we fly a lot - my grandma always said, 'Swallow like you’re swallowing your pride after a bad day.' Works every time. Also, EarPlanes are magic. I keep a pair in my purse like lip balm. 🌏✈️
Paul Adler
The physiological mechanism described here is accurate and well-documented. The Eustachian tube’s role in barotrauma prevention is a well-established concept in otolaryngology. That said, the practical recommendations - particularly the emphasis on proactive equalization rather than reactive intervention - represent a significant improvement over outdated advice that simply told passengers to 'yawn harder.' This is evidence-based travel medicine at its best.
Sheryl Dhlamini
I had a flight where my 4-year-old screamed for 20 minutes because I forgot to wake him up before landing. I cried. I bought EarPlanes. I set alarms. I now carry gum like it’s oxygen. 🥲 I will never be that person again. Also, jaw wiggling? I do it like I’m trying to win a silent movie contest. It helps. A lot.
Doug Gray
It’s ironic, isn’t it? We’ve achieved supersonic travel, yet our biology hasn’t evolved past the Pleistocene. We’re essentially cavemen in carbon-fiber shells, forced to perform primitive oropharyngeal maneuvers to avoid auditory trauma. The Valsalva maneuver? A paleolithic workaround for a neolithic problem. The real solution? Pressurized cabins at 4,000 feet. But no - profit margins > physiology. 🤷♂️
Frank Declemij
Swallowing works. Yawning works. Chewing gum works. Don't overcomplicate it. Don't blow too hard. Don't sleep. Done.
Pawan Kumar
Did you know the FAA quietly approved a 2023 amendment allowing airlines to reduce cabin pressure to 8,500 feet? The public was never told. Why? Because if people knew how much pressure their bodies are enduring, they’d stop flying. And then who would pay for the 12% profit margin on economy seats? 🕵️♂️
DHARMAN CHELLANI
lol u think earplugs help? i flew with a cold once and my ear popped so hard i heard it in my teeth. no tech fixes bad biology. just dont fly if u got a snotty nose. duh.
kabir das
My left ear has been ringing since 2018 after a Delta flight from JFK to LAX - I swear it was the Valsalva maneuver the flight attendant told me to do! I’ve seen three ENTs, two neurologists, and a psychic. The psychic said my soul is 'out of alignment with atmospheric harmonics.' I’m not kidding. I’ve spent $12,000. I still can’t hear my own voice clearly. Why isn’t anyone talking about this?!?!?!?!?!?
Keith Oliver
Oh wow, you actually listed the Lowry technique? That’s like, 92% effective? Bro, I’ve been doing that since I was 12 and I thought it was just something I made up. You’re telling me it’s real? I’m gonna start charging people for this. Call it 'The Oliver Maneuver.' I’ll patent it. 🤑
Kacey Yates
Most people don’t realize nasal steroids take a week. I used Afrin the night before a flight and my nose was so dry I could hear my sinuses crack. Don’t be that person. Use Flonase daily. And stop sleeping through descent - your kid deserves better than a crying meltdown at 30,000 feet. 🙄
ryan Sifontes
They say 'balloon dilation' is 76% effective. But who’s paying for it? The airlines? No. The patient. Meanwhile, Boeing’s making billions on 787s with better cabin pressure - but they won’t lower it to 5,000 feet because 'it’s not cost-effective.' We’re all lab rats in a corporate pressure chamber. And the worst part? They’re selling earplugs for $5 while charging $200 for a snack pack. 🤡
Laura Arnal
This is the best guide I’ve ever read on airplane ear! 🙌 I’m a flight nurse and I’ve seen so many people suffer needlessly. I always tell passengers: 'Start early, stay calm, and chew like your life depends on it.' And yes - EarPlanes are a game changer. I keep a pack in my scrubs. Trust me, your ears will thank you. 💙
Megan Brooks
It’s fascinating how a simple anatomical structure - the Eustachian tube - becomes the fulcrum of a complex modern travel experience. Our technology has advanced exponentially, yet we remain biologically tethered to Paleolithic physiology. The fact that we’ve developed surgical interventions like balloon dilation suggests not only the prevalence of the issue, but the systemic failure of industrial design to prioritize human comfort over economic efficiency. Perhaps the real innovation lies not in earplugs or maneuvers, but in reimagining cabin pressure as a non-negotiable health parameter - not a cost center.