Does anyone suffer from ear problems when flying?

Show all answers

Doris

Hello Natalie,I am a sufferer too!! Bit of prevention rather than cure needed here. Perhaps you get congested like me and this affects the Eustachian tube which is trying to adjust to the pressure change. A week prior to flying cut down on foods which cause mucus,mostly dairy products. There is a brill product by Bio force called 'Plantego Lanceolata'- you have a few drops in water daily for approx week prior to flying and it helps to de congest and clear the sinuses/ears etc.
As a pre empt strike take a pain killer at least an hour before landing and this will at least soften the pain if you do have any probs.
I definitely recommend gently sucking sweets to alleviate any discomfort and try to relax as much as poss. If you get tense this will make matters worse,I know from experience!!
Good luck!!

â™¥ Chelsea Blue â™¥

I do not have problems with my ears when I'm flying. I always get headache and stuff. To get rid of those nasty things in your ear, just close your nose by squeezing it with your fingers and then just blow, then you'll hear your ears plop.
I don't guarantee that it'll work... Yeah, yes, but not long enough...

The problem is the middle ear, a small air pocket inside your ear, which opens in the back of the nose.

Usually ear problems occur during the descent of an airplane, when air contracts and an inner ear tube is partially blocked.

Ways to reduce the discomfort include:

1. Nasal sprays.

2. Swallowing.

3. Chewing.

4. Yawning.

5. Earplugs.

6. Perform Valsalva maneuver. (The Valsalva maneuver is performed by attempting to forcibly exhale while keeping the mouth and nose closed, kind of like what you do when you hold your nose jumping off a diving board etc.)

Kitty

Chewing gum is the best thing!!!!!!!!You'd be amazed how much better you feel while you're chewing. It works for me

board-stupid

First off - DON'T do the hold your nose and blow thing - you can do a lot of damage to your inner ear like that!!

Apart from that sucking on a boiled sweet help, I don't know how but it does! Unfortunatly it's sure rather than prevention though so it won't stop the pain occuring at all it'll just end it more quickly.

Tom

Take a ferry

kenjinuk

It is painful and you dont want to spoil your weekend, I have similar problems.
Try having your ears syringed, to prevent a build up of wax.
When you fly try chewing gum or a boiled sweet, yawn or stretch your jaw, anything to equalise the pressure. The usual advice is to pinch your nose and blow till your ears pop, if this makes you dizzy, then go see your doctor or practice nurse, see what they advise.
With any flying, try to stay calm, plenty of fluids and deep breathing, ejoy the flight, the films or take some relaxing music to listen to. Your GP can give you a valium for flying if you need it.

Yvonne Mystic

Drink lots of hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate on the flight. Chewing gum also helps, so make sure you carry lots with you.
Also, buy some ear plugs. It could help you as well...

GoodLuck!

Princesspoison

I was going to suggest that Dumbo has a problem with his ears when flying until I realised the seriousness of your question. I have heard that sucking on a boiled sweet during take-off helps as it promotes swallowing which helps you to unblock your ears.

iamthesuperior

I sometimes suffer from ear problems when on air travel, that is why I chew bubble gum or drink allot of water, but not too much water. You can test different ways of not having your ear hurt as much if you go into a car and go down/up fairly quickly.
For chewing, you can chew: bubble gum or mentoes.

mishnbong

yawn or just open ur mouth wide helps to "pop" the ears. u cant really give a best answer to this question till u've tried it though!

Just Me

The only thing I know of that helps when flying is chewing gum or sucking on sweets, I know that helps to stop your ears popping during take off and landing. No idea if that's any good to you.

Presea

Depends really, if you have a build up of ear wax, that can make it quite painful also. Try using foam ear plugs to stop the popping.

Cobalt

Did you ask your doctor for suggestions?

Sometimes I find that wearing good earplugs - not the foam kind, but the kind with three ridges - helps on flights.

dubgirl26

My son has very bad ear problems when flying so i got him special ear plugs for in flight (bought in boots) and with using them he constantly sucks on boiled sweets and this helps alot it didnt go away comepletely but helped loads. also i kept him really busy during the flight so he couldnt think about it too much.
Boots also had drops for adults to use, also try not showering or getting water in the ear the day of flying as it tends to block and pop. good luck x

Ruth

I have this problem too as my ears don't seem to pop, the pressure just dissipates slowly instead which can be a bit painful.

You could try sucking a sweet on take-off. once you're up in the air, provided the cabin temperature is set properly you should be ok. Like I said my ears just don't pop and I've only ever had a problem once when flying.

traceylill

I know that if you have a cold this can be worse but years ago you used to be given a sweet to suck (a hard boiled one - not to be chewed). This does help. You can just bring some boiled sweets with you. Whatever you do don't get yourself in a sweat about it because you could make the flight much worse. Bring the sweets. And start sucking the minute the plane moves and keep sucking till you are airborn and if you want keep sucking for the flight.

tommo

You have my sympathy, I suffer baddly with this some times for days after flying.Have tried all the usuall things,it can spoil holidays for me,hope someone has an answer will be watching for the answers.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: