Earplanes, are they worth it?

[Jillpie]

I have read some posts about these earplanes. Are they just like ear plugs that we used to wear as kids in the ocean? I don't seem to have any problems with take off and descent, chewing gum helps alot. However, my 14 yr old DS had problems this last trip and his ears hurt for a few days. Would they really help him? How much do they cost? Should he put them in as soon as he gets on board? thanks so much.

 

[RuthAnne123]

My DS has the same problem and experiences pretty intense ear pain when we fly. I tried earplanes on our last trip and they worked wonderfully.

We put them in about 30 min. before each flight. They are 14 dollars for two pair in a package ( here in Canada)

I will never go without them again!

Rooth

 

[debster812]

I am 36 years old, and up until 18 months ago (when I tried Earplanes for the first time) I had never flown without tears. I am the poster child for bad ears, but it was ridiculous.

I was travelling on business with my director and VP, and figured if I could avoid crying with them, it would be good for my career.

I will never fly without them again. I have already purchased them for our trip in Jan. For myself, DH and DS.

Big thumbs up from Debster!

 

[corvair]

My DD wore them the last time we flew. She did not cry at all. The first time without them she cried the whole time. Yes, they helped her alot. I got them at the local Eckert. They did not cost 14.00 there. I did get the kid size. There were 2 different sizes. they worked great for my 9 yearold.. good luck...amy

 

[melindaandrob]

Definitely Worth It!!!!!

I was worried about my dd who has trouble with ears on a good day! She had NO problems. I bought an adult pair for myself, I can't hear for 3 days after I fly and I get light headed! I didn't even notice the decent. This is one of those tips that I would kiss the feet of the Diser who posted it.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Yes!
I had Flite something, not Earplanes. They were the same price at Walgreens. The ones I bought came with a small plastic round container. (Think they were $7-- one pair.)
The instructions read as though you put them in your ears and leave them in for the entire flight. I didn't and they still worked great.
The instructions read they are good for four uses. I'm sure they don't stop working. It would be a health issue. I lost one on the last flight leg anyway!
I just put them in each time the plane started moving. But if someone were sensitive they should put them in before then.
And I also found you don't need to stick them in far or tight.

 

[Bildmouse]

My DD, almost 16, won't fly without them. Her first two flights were horrible for her with the ear pain after landing. Once I discovered Earplanes (thanks to these boards) she won't fly without them. She even insisted on having them when she had her 8th grade class trip to DC three years ago. She wasn't worried about being embarrassed - she knew it wouldn't be any fun if she had an earache the whole time they were there (it was only a three day trip).

 

[JKLLady]

I agree, the earplanes are a must. My DS & I both suffer from allergies & sinus problems & have come home w/ear infections prior to using earplanes. My allegist recommended them & they work great; no problem since using them. DS & I leave them in the entire flight;they muffle engine noise too!

 

[DeeP]

I love earplanes!! I had a horrible flight a year ago and my left ear remained clogged with fluid in the lower ear canal for months afterwards. My Ears/Nose/Throat specialist told me the only thing they could do to relieve the pain was put an small pin hole in my ear drum! I said no way and suffered for almost 3 months. I was on steroids, antiboditics etc and nothing helped. I then had to fly again shortly after my ear finally cleared up and I was scared the same thing was going to happen, so I asked my pharmacist about earplanes. He recommended the earplanes and also using Afrin nasal spray about 30 minutes prior to take off, I used both the earplanes and the nasal spray and never had a problem! I have now used earplanes and the nasal spray for the past 3 flights and I would never get on a plane again without them. I wear the earplanes for the entire flight, the directions say to do this and I am afraid to take any chances after the suffering I went through last Dec.

 

[peachgirl]

I'm so glad to hear that earplanes seem to work. I've flown quite a bit and never had an ear problem. However, this last summer when we flew back home from Las Vegas, I started getting a horrible sharp pain in both ears when we started descending. By the time the plane landed I couldn't hear anything. It was like listening to people talk while I was under water. That lasted for 3 days with only intermittent periods where one ear or the other would open slightly. I hate going to the doctor, but I finally gave in after a week and he put me on some antihistamines. He told me the same thing as DeeP...it was this or put a hole in my ear! I ended up being on them for over a month before my ears cleared up, but even today I get bouts when they clog up on me. I'll definitely being trying these out!

 

[goofy4tink]

We love them too!!! Flying was never any problem until a fateful descent into Ft. Lauderdale!!!! We've used EarPlanes ever since. Won't travel without them.

 

[sgtdisney]

We discovered earplanes a few years back and my wife and son use them all the time now. She always had problems with her ears prior to using them. They do work. I have never used them myself, but I (luckily) have never had problems with my ears when I fly.

 

[Jillpie]

Wow, thanks everybody! I never thought I'd get this much response. I guess I have to go get these things for my DS.

 

[SeaWitch]

I'm glad to know there are others out there like me! I discovered earplanes in the grocery store (Kroger) several years ago and will NEVER EVER fly without them again!

PS - Thank goodness they make smaller sized ones... the adult size were too big for me! Now if only I could get my cell phone ear piece in a child size!

 

[plutosmyfav]

We'll be trying them for the first time in 1 1/2 weeks. I'm concerned that DS (2 1/2) won't leave them in his ears. Will this worsen the effect? If he starts out with them and then pulls them out during take off or sometime after? Could I put them back in for landing if he takes them out? I checked the website and didn't see any answers to these types of questions.

DD was in horrible pain on her last and only air trip, so I'm really glad to have this tip for her. She's 13 and I'm sure she will remember the pane and have no trouble keeping them in!

 

[erikthewise]

Just thought I'd give you another point of view.
We bought some last year and never used them -- no need.
I suspect 95% of children do just fine without them.
I would suggest not bothering with them unless you have some particular reason to expect problems. But if you want to be ultraprepared, go ahead and get them.

 

[Bob NC]

Originally posted by plutosmyfav
I'm concerned that DS (2 1/2) won't leave them in his ears. Will this worsen the effect? If he starts out with them and then pulls them out during take off or sometime after? Could I put them back in for landing if he takes them out?

I've had many ear problems since I was a child, many surgeries. Flying has always been a real ordeal, I would be physically bent over with sharp pains in my ears on take-offs and landings. This pain would frequently linger, as an ache, for days after flying. Since I started using Ear Planes I have not had a single problem.

To answer your question.....I put them in just as the plane starts to move for take-off, then take them out after we reach altitude. I then reinsert them before descent.

 

[pugdog]

the dw just uses them for take off up tp altitude and then takes them out untill we start to decend with out a problem. the reson they say you can only use them for 4 times is because there is a ceramic disk in them that will break down with the changes in pressure.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I am one of those people who almost always has problems with decending.

I've always wondered about Earplanes, now I know that they work.

 

[travelbug]

I also swear by Earplanes! After years of sitting in tears on flights, especially during descents, I was so thrilled to find something that works! I put them in before takeoff, take them out when at full altitude, then put them back in before descent. My doctor has me go on Claritin D a couple days before I fly too. I also use Neosynephrine about 30 min. before getting on the plane. The combination of those things has finally enabled me to fly without tears.

Earplanes are about $6.00 per pair around here, and worth every penny IMHO. Hope they work for you too!