Ear Planes - do they really work?

[Ms. WDW]

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for WDW and of course as luck would have it I think I'm getting a cold. Doesn't seem to be major right now; my head is very clear.

But...on a good day my ears are hard to "pop" on the decent so I'm a little nervous about tomorrow.

If anyone has used them and they really work please let me know. My biggest fear is that my ears will clog and I won't be able to "pop" them.

 

[GatorGal]

I read about earplanes on this board and got them for my DD6, but they made her vomit on the plane. She's never been sick on a plane before or since, and I never used them again.

HTH

 

[4lilpoohs]

I bought them for myself and my five and two year olds. I used them and I was fine. But that was only my second plane ride so I don't know if I would have had a problem without them. The first time I rode in a plane I was only 7. I couldn't get my two year old to let me put them in his ears. So I gave up after a while. He was fine without them. My five year old used them on the way there but they kept falling out. I can't even remember if they stayed in on the way home. He didn't have any problems either.

 

[DisneyMet]

If you find yourself in a lot of pain due to elevation changes, you can try something that our pediatrician suggested for our little ones.

Get two paper cups large enough to fit OVER your ears (yeah, I know, it'll look funny). Get two paper towels and soak them with HOT water. Stuff the paper towels into the bottom of the cups and securely place them over your ears during ascent and/or descent. It helps to equalize the pressure and reduces the possibility of a painful pop! Worked great for a fussy little one, so I see no reason-outside of a sort of goofy looking moment or two-that it wouldn't work for an adult if you needed it!

Have an amazing trip. Watch how quickly your cold goes away once you arrive......

 

[INdisneyfamily]

My youngest daughter, 12, has had several problems with her ears while flying. She has used ear planes the last few trips and hasn't had anymore problems!

 

[Ariel8676]

my DH has really bad ears (they dont release pressure), as does my 5 yo dd..they both use earplanes everytime we fly and they are great.
You have to make sure to pull out your earlobe and twist the earplanes into your ear. You can remove them when you get up in the air, but make sure you put them back in during decent...

 

[Ms. WDW]

Again, thanks to all who replied.

I'm getting ready to head to the airport; I'll let you know how I made out when I return.

 

[MariettaC]

What are earplanes and where can you buy them? My DH has terrible problems with his ears flying, very painful. Thanks.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I have bad sinuses. When I flew to WDW last month, my doctor told me to take a Sudafed, use a nasal spray 30 minutes before take-off, and use Earplanes. I couldn't bring on a water bottle because of TSA regulations, but I had gum and Tootsie Pops to help me swallow.

My flight to Orlando was the best flight I ever had. My ears popped a couple of times, but it wasn't painful. Right after we landed, they popped one last time.....and then they were fine! It was the first time EVER that I felt fine immediately after flying! I was so happy.

My flight back home did not go as well. I took all of the same precautions and was in major pain during landing. I was near tears. After we landed, it took about 24 hours for my ears to get back to normal.

Maybe Earplanes are hit and miss for me? But, because of the wonderful first flight I had with the Earplanes, I will never fly w/o them again! Also, I had my kids wear Earplanes and they had no problems on either flight. Dd has bad allergies and I was worried about her having problems.

 

[Pixiedust34]

What are earplanes and where can you buy them? My DH has terrible problems with his ears flying, very painful. Thanks.

Earplanes are little earplugs that you can wear when you are flying. They are quite comfortable and help you adjust to the air pressure changes in the cabin. You can buy them at CVS, Wal-Mart, or at most similar stores.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I guess I'm under a misconception about Ear Planes.

I thought, that when you used them, that your ears would NOT clogg. I did use them for the outbound trip but I could feel my ears clogging. I was able to pop them, but I had to do it several times during the take off with the ear planes still in. I did notice however that they popped quite easily. Is this how they're suppose to work or did I possibly not have them in properly?

 

[wlfans]

You do feel some pressure, but when you land your ears will not have to adjust. They should feel normal as before your flight. I get very bad pressure pain on one side. I used them and felt great in one ear and a lot less pressure in my ear I usually have problems with. US fighter and bomber pilots use something very similar to Ear Planes.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

I use them on every flight and I keep them in the entire time. I guess my only complaint is I can't listen to music or anything because I have them in, but I will sacrifice that for not having the pain in my ears from the pressure.

 

[Ariel8676]

If you feel your ears clogging, just twist them a little or move them around a bit..it will help relieve the pressure.