Ear pain on airplane

[MermaidsMom]

Does anyone have suggestions for helping this? I have it during every descent and it just about kills me. I actually have to hold back tears it hurts so bad. I have tried chewing gum, swallowing, making the yawning motions, plugging my nose and blowing, ear plugs, and wet,hot cloths in a cup to hold over the ears (which helps a little, but it's hard to get the stewardess to get them for me in time). Then my ears are plugged for days afterwards. Is there ANYTHING else?

 

[stacilee]

I have the same problem. Do yourself a favor and buy a pair of "Ear Planes" at walmart $5 (pharmacy section) or the newsstand of any airport(behind the counter $10-11).

Put them in before the plane takes off and do not take them out until the plane has landed and the door is opened. They make them for adults and children.

You will find flying much less painful.

 

[RickNWendy]

Once again, aerospace physiology info to the rescue.

This is due to uneven pressure in your inner ear vs the pressure that is in the cabin of the airplane. *Normally, the eustachian tube, which connects your middle ear to the back of your nose and throat, equalizes the pressure.* When you have a cold or ear infection, it is even harder for you to equalize the pressure on your ears, so you need help- solution?

Valsalva

(in case you want to look that up)

Basically, pinch your nose and close your mouth (after taking a small breath). Then forcibly exhale through your nose only, but no air should come out since you have it pinched. This will open your eustachian tube, and equalize the pressure. Try it any time you wish- you should feel 'movement' in each ear, as well as hear either a slight pop (you alone will hear it... ) or a 'pffft' sound. Voila, you figured out how to do it.

 

[TinkerGal]

I too have severe ear pains when flying. Nothing has ever worked. Valsalva.... felt like my eardrum exploded & I ended up in worse pain.
When I heard about EarPlanes (thanks DISers!!) I ran right out and got some. I still had a slight discomfort in my right ear but nothing I couldn't ignore. I ended up sucking on lifesavers as well and that helped with the slight tinge. Sounds were muffled but I could still hear before, during and AFTER the flight.
I highly recommend EarPlanes. They are well worth the cost. Do yourself a favor, please get some.

 

[mbb]

and Advil Cold and Sinus...

I can't fly without a decongestent!!!

 

[gritzel4]

ITA about the Advil Cold & Sinus - relief without drowsiness is great.

 

[clutter]

Sudafed and Afrin nasal spray. Mine's not that painful, but it can last for days. My dd gets the pain, then is fine when she lands. Last trip, she said it helped if I cupped my palms over her ears and pulled them off every once in a while, it's like a little suction.

I've tried the blowing the closed off nose, but it doesn't work if you're already too congested.

 

[ducklite]

I've been using Earplanes for several years now, they are a lifesaver! One of the best inventions ever.

Anne

 

[scanmom]

I may have to try them! I use a sinus/decongestant pill. I take it with my snack/drink that they serve on the plane....that way it doesn't wear off before the descent! This works very well for me. Just be sure to get non drowsy formula. If you are like me, you won't be able to get your bags w/o dozing off if you take the regular kind!

 

[CindyBeth]

Another earplanes user here!!!! Both my dd and I use them with great results!

 

[MermaidsMom]

Thank you to everyone for the ideas! Only 11 days to go and I will try out a combo of them on the plane. (this is me doing the valsalva)

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I've also suffered the ear pain on landing. I have a stupid question though - are the ear planes like ear plugs or can you hear with them in. We're traveling with our three kids (the oldest is 6) and I think DH would never forgive me if I was "deaf" to their needs the whole flight!

 

[ducklite]

You can hear, they reduce the decible level about 20 Db, but you can still clearly hear announcements from the FA's and cockpit, etc.

Anne

 

[linnettevl]

Mermaidsmom:



My pharmacist(I love that guy) recommeded that I use AFRIN spray 30minutes before getting in the plane and 30min before landing it does work and I have no problems with ear pain since
I even do this for my children to prevent the ear pain on them too ...

Linnette

 

[Nanu57v]

Originally posted by linnettevl



My pharmacist(I love that guy) recommeded that I use AFRIN spray 30minutes before getting in the plane and 30min before landing it does work

I have ghetto eustacian tubes and since I fly alot, this was a major problem. I felt so dumb being in the same amount of pain as the toddlers around me (their eustacian tubes aren't fully developed yet, thus their problems I've been told). Anyway, my ear doctor said to do the same a linnettevl's pharamacist, but to split the dose before the plane. Do one spray 30 minutes before, and one spray just prior to takeoff. Also take sudafed, and do the ear popping thing (which doesn't always work for me). Also chew gum, the sugar bubbalicious kind of gum. The first time I did all these together I was amazed!

 

[mmiller711]

Another vote for the Afrin spray!

The first time I flew I thought my ears would never be the same. My Dr. suggested the nasal spray and what a difference. My cousin also had a problem with her ears on a flight and I asked the stewardess (sharing nasal spray didn't sound too well to either of us) and they had a little sample bottle of the spray on board to give her.

 

[swilphil]

My cousin's husband flies jets in the Air Force. He recommended the Afrin spray. It sounds like that's what all the Air Force pilots use, especially when they have a slight cold.

 

[RickNWendy]

actually we are only legally allowed to use it once while flying, then must report to the doc.

It softens the lining in the nose, and if you use it for more than a couple days it can really start to do some damage to your inner workings...

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by RickNWendy
actually we are only legally allowed to use it once while flying, then must report to the doc.

It softens the lining in the nose, and if you use it for more than a couple days it can really start to do some damage to your inner workings...

That sounds right. I remember him saying that he's actually had to cancel flights because of a head cold.

 

[mhely]

I have had great results with Afrin. But as advised earlier - use for 3 days max.