Ear plugs for airplane travel

[Bluejen]

Has anyone out there ever used ear plugs when flying to help reduce ear pain & pressure during take off and landing? I would like to get some for myself and 2 children. I ALWAYS have pain that lasts for a day after flying and I don't want it to ruin our first trip to DW!! I also want to be prepared for the kids in case they have the same problem. It will be thier 1st time flying. Chewing gum has never worked for me. If anyone has used these, did it actually help? Thanks!





NOV. 13-20 2004 1ST TRIP TO WDW!!
Staying at WL!!

 

[cnids00]

Chewing gum is a myth imho... I used to fly international alot with my DD between her being 3 - 6 years old. I taught her to yawn...like as she was so so tired and needed to sleep, that did the trick..big yawn and ears popped

There is earplugs for flying, saw them at Eckerd the other day while waiting for prescription to be filled..I thought they were kind of pricey though, but if it helps the kids not hurt and cry, it would be worth every penny

DD is 9,5 now and she has it "the big yawn" down!

 

[cnids00]

Sorry, I had no answer to your question, I've seen others on the board that have used the earplugs, hopefully someone will reply with an answer.

Just a note, my DD had lots of training in yawning, we had 3 flights to Sweden and 3 back every time we went, she had lots of practice

 

[Chesire]

I have been looking into these myself. A lot of people on this board have had success with an ear plug called earplanes (I think). I have bought a few pairs for an upcoming flight and am really looking forward to trying them

 

[ASFCurly]

they have things called earplanes, I have found them in the pharmacy section of stores like Target and Walmart, though I am sure they are other places as well. They are well worth the price in my opinion, my ears always kill me after a flight, and for several days afterwards, I have no problem when I use these, I can't chew gum, as I have TMJ, and that never really worked for me anyways, and neither does yawning, or anything else, just the earplanes. I put them in before they close the doors, and keep them in until the doors open, though if you have a long flight I think you can take them out at some point, you would have to read the box.

 

[Bluejen]

Thanks for all the replies.............I will definitely go and get the Earplanes. I am so glad to hear they really work. Thanks everyone!





NOV. 13-20 2004 1ST TRIP TO WDW!!
Staying at WL!!

 

[mbb]

I never fly without a decongestant...

Afrin is another one (a nasal spray) that lots of people use...check with your family doctor or pharmacist

Have a great trip!!

 

[linnettevl]

My pharmacist told me that the Afrin(nasal spray) and taking any decogestant medicine like dimetapp, advil ,sudafed will work the same(or better) as the earplugs; the trick is taking (afrin) 30 min before taking off and 30 min before landing and the decongestant at least 30min before taking off, he said that it is ok to take both medicines together (just for flying) I asked my doctor and he told me the same thing.

Linnette

 

[alloyd1170]

I believe the earplanes say they are only good for one flight, but I did read about someone who used one pair several times with success.

alison

 

[llp479]

My youngest dd suffers tremendous pain upon landing. With the Earplanes all is good. You put them in an hour BEFORE landing and leave them in until they open the doors. They say they are good for two uses, however I've washed them with dish soap and they've been fine.

 

[PatricenPete]

Great thread! I suffer from tremendous ear pain taking off and landing, to the point where I am literally crying.

I will have to look into earplanes.

 

[Tink03477]

My son and I have used them. He has problems with his ears, I don't; but I used them anyway so he didn't feel "different". He says they work great! No pain anymore. Once his ears didn't "pop" for 2 days! His dad had the same problem. I also heard about the Afrin and sudefed solution too. I heard it worked as well. I didn't like the muffled feeling from the earplanes and what if you are flying Song or Jetblue?? How do you listen to the TV? Last time we flew Song and didn't use the earplanes. My son didn't have any problems that time. Maybe because he had a headset on his ears??? I don't know. That one may have just been luck. We're off to Jet Blue this time in 6 days (Woohoo!!) I'll have the earplanes, sudefed and Afrin with me; just in case.
Have fun!!!

 

[Raisenbrand08]

I recently flew for the first time...Wasnt a long flight..But i never had a problem with landing or taking off...The only problem i had was when we were desending my ears killed me...To the point i was in tears...Soo i dont know if the ear things would help me? I chewed gum like crazy but it didnt seem to help any..But when we got down some more the pain went away! Soo i wouldnt know what to do!! I might have to talk to the doctor and see.

 

[Goobergal99]

I also plan on using the ear planes for my lil one as this is her first flight and I want no negqtivity!!! I hope they work as well as ppl say they do

 

[mbb]

but that doesn't mean yours won't be fine

We give the kids (6yrs old) a decongestant, and let them chew gum, and they are fine

I leave the earplanes in for the whole flight - not takiing a chance on that pain at all!!, and I'm fine using the headphones

Good luck!

 

[DVC-LEROY]

We can't go on an airplane without our earplanes. We've lost a couple here and there but they've worked for us - so it's worth a try. Our 6 year old has been flying twice a year for the past 4 years and does very well with them.

 

[vhoffman]

My dd has had extensive ear surgery and her ENT recommends Earplanes. They reallywork--we all use them. Also take a decongestant about 30 minutes before takeoff. I've found chewing gum to be a lifesaver--even with the earplanes. Also, I read on this board or another one several months ago a suggestion from a flight attendant. Put styrofoam cups over both ears. I tried this once in a pinch and it really did work. The cup idea is great for a baby or small child if you can't get his cooperation with the ear plugs and is too young to chew gum.

 

[ricktib]

When having difficulty on descent, unless you're very, very congested, all it takes is to hold your nose closed and gently try to blow air through it till your ears pop - called a valsalva (sp?).

 

[ecteacher23]

Another vote for the earplanes, both my mom and I have such horrible pain when we fly, to the point we are both in tears. So this trip we tried earplanes and it was great! We were able to hear when we got off the flight. Just a side note we left them in the whole flight as well, we didn't want to take any chances.

 

[RoLaren]

Just another Earplanes supporter here!

My dd used to cry every time we flew, but never has since Earplanes even when flying on, say, DC9's where she would be bawling from the pain no matter what I gave her decongestant wise.

I've never used a pair more than once so I can't comment on that. DD leaves them in the whole flight and they're worth their weight in gold to us. Every time we start planning a trip, she says "Mom, please be sure we have my earplanes!"