Ear Pain while flying for my DS6...Do EarPlanes Help?

[Wafflestoo]

My DS6 has been expressing a lot of nervous concern about our upcoming flight to WDW in 20 days. He gets pain in his ears while take off and landing and he lets EVERYONE on the plane know it. I had wanted to give him a sudafed last year, but my DH didn't agree with me giving DS a "preventative" drug...

Does anyone have a review of the new EarPlanes? I saw an ad for it today for the first time. They look like earplugs that you wear as the plane goes up and then when it comes down.

I am deaf in one ear and my ear doctor told me never to plug up my good ear during high pressure times; such as, scuba diving to plane rides. I am wondering if EarPlanes plug up ears. How do they help? Any info. would be beneficial.

thanks,
Meg

 

[minnieandtink]

I was wondering too. After a trip to the ER after flying one vacation, preventative is worth a try - it's only sudafed. I also bought some of the earplanes for both DD and DN it won't hurt to try! Will let you know we leave tomorrow bright and early.

 

[Wafflestoo]

Lucky you... have a magical time. I hope the ears stay pain free.

Meg

 

[Pixiedust34]

I'm having a hard time finding Sudafed for kids. Is there a kids version of Sudafed? Dd be 8 on our trip, but she's 40 pounds dripping wet and I can't give her the adult Sudafed because she's so tiny. Benadryl isn't an option for us because she can't take that.

OP, we've never tried Earplanes, but I have read on several threads that they do work.

 

[JustineMarie]

DD5 has had a problem with her ears and flying since she had her tonsils out. We use earplanes for her during each flight as well as sudefed and have very little problems. With the earplanes you have to put them in 30 min. before takeoff and 1 hour before landing. HTH.

 

[Wafflestoo]

Is there a kids version of Sudafed?

Yes, there is a liquid and chewable Sudafed for children that helps with the decongestion of the ears. I will be looking for it, as well as the EarPlanes.

Meg

 

[minnieandtink]

I found the adult size at walmart but no childrens. Our CVS had both sizes so try there if you have one. Sudafed is now kept behind the counter at all drug stores so you may have to pull a card and take it to the pharmacy.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I found the adult size at walmart but no childrens. Our CVS had both sizes so try there if you have one. Sudafed is now kept behind the counter at all drug stores so you may have to pull a card and take it to the pharmacy.

Thanks! Maybe that's why I couldn't find Sudafed for kids. I remember reading about Sudafed being put behind-the-counter, but totally forgot about it until now. The next time I'm at the pharmacy, I'll ask for it.

 

[*Belle*]

My DS8 has used ear planes for many years now, he packs them every trip and they're put in once we board the plane. He says they work wonders. He has taken them out mid flight and popped them back in if he feels any pressure. in they go again about 1/2hr before landing.
We found that if they are not on the shelf of your pharmacy, they will order them for you. We always take two pairs per trip.

 

[Wafflestoo]

thanks. That is good enough for me. I don't think that I would have planned on buying two pairs... so thanks for making me think ahead.

Meg

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Hi! I experience horrible pain when flying and earplanes do help me. I am not sure of all the do's and don'ts but you can ask your doctor or pharmacist if you require more info...

 

[a1tinkfans]

I can certainly vouch for the earplanes for adults. I swear by them and have used them for many years. I actually leave them in for the whole trip as I once took them out and even though I put them back in, boy did my ears hurt on landing. I also only use them twice for the trip to and then the return trip as they do "wear" a bit for lack of a better word. The $6.00 is certainly reasonable and well worth the investment.
I didn't realize about the kids sudafed, I have always used benadryl for my child, about 20 minutes before take off. Yes, sometimes gets a bit sleepy, but thats OKAY by me Enjoy your trip!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Earplanes do work...we all have terrible ear trouble when flying and when we use them its all good Drugstore.com has kids size at a discount if you're interested.

Our ENT also recommends childrens liquid Sudafed and a spray of Afrin in each nostril 45 min before takeoff, earplanes + gum when we actually take-off. So far so good. The only time we had trouble was when DH & DS decieded to 'be cool' and skip the earplanes on our last trip. They were both in terrible pain and apparently the earplanes don't help once the pain starts.

I think they work by slowing the rate of equalizing the pressure in your ears, but this is just a guess They have a tiny hole & a bit of cotton in the middle but I'm not sure what that does.


Good luck and have a great time