Ear pain during flight???

[jwmoss]

We will be flying to Orlando in December and I'm really concerned about my 7 year old daughter's ears hurting from the air pressure changes. I know sometimes gum helps, but it's hard to get her to chew when she is hollering. She has very sensitive ears and has had 2 surgeries on them, so I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas that might help her be more comfortable (not to mention the people around us!)??

Thanks so much,
Janna

 

[bdoyledimou]

they sell airplane ear plugs at Wal-Mart for $6. Buy 2 pair one there one home.

 

[tigger2on]

We get our 7 yr old the ear planes for kids... she seems to also have really sensitive ears

 

[Sandi]

We used "earplanes" for DD when she was younger and they helped a lot. I would check with your DD's doctor to see if s/he has any suggestions. With your DD's surgeries, they should have some advice for flying.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Another vote for Earplanes for kids. My oldest, now 17, always had problems with her ears and she too has had two surgeries when she was younger. Her ENT recommended Earplanes and they really work well. Because her ear canal is small she finds the kids size fit her better than the adults. My youngest only has issues when she flies, so she too uses them and I have to use Earplanes as I have problems with my ears. Good Luck!

 

[momto2inKC]

My daughter and I both use earplanes. They work really well! The only problem she does have is she always takes them out once the plane reaches cruising altitude, but doesn't get them back in before descent starts. So she occasionally has pain because of that. I would suggest keeping them in the entire flight if it's not an extremely long one.

 

[lvdis]

Another vote for EarPlanes. I've used them on the last 3 flights I've taken and they are wonderful. I put them in before takeoff and I leave them in the entire time. I haven't had an ear problem since. I got mine off Amazon, but I know you can get them in stores also.

http://www.amazon.com/EarPlanes-Chi...QCCU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1316618774&sr=8-5

 

[BillyBuff]

I have the same problem with the pressures and the ears but the EarPlanes do not work for me. Even chewing gum or "blowing out" doesn't seem to work.

The pain is extremely unbearable! Imagine this...like someone jabbed a butterknife into the backs of both my ears and started twisting it around.

I may be flying soon but will take a advice from a co-worker about using an allergy med or decongestant since he has the same problems with EarPlanes not working for him.

Wish me luck!

 

[Lisa0620]

I spike the kids' juice with sudafed the morning we fly and also use earplanes. The instructions say to leave them in the whole time, but my kids find them uncomfortable and want to take them out right before descent. Last time I took them out after the first half hour and put them back in right before descent which worked great. I also bring really small blue rubbermaid sippy bottles and partially fill them with bottled water purchased at the airport so they can sip something on the way up and down. (If I give them each a bottled water they drink the whole thing out of boredom and need to use the airplane bathroom) Make sure you bring gum from home, b/c they don't sell it at the airport. Good luck!

 

[bytheblood]

We do gum or suckers. Both kept her happy. Also, drinking water - but then you might have to go to the restroom a lot. YUCK. LOL

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Check with your pediatrician. Twenty two years ago my pediatrician recommended dimetapp (or another suitable decongestant) an hour before takeoff and exactly four hours after the first dose. I have been administering that to my kids (and myself - though I only take a single dose an hour before takeoff) ever since without a single issue. I fly about 2-4 days a week.