How to Put a Stop to Plane Pressure

Male: If ear discomfort makes a ride in an airplane feel like a torture chamber, you are not alone and not without help.

Female: Airplane ear refers to the pain and temporary hearing loss many travelers experience during and after flying. The pain is caused by the force due to unequal pressure between your middle ear and the cabin of an airplane. To maintain comfort, the Eustachian tube, a tiny membrane line tube which connects the back of the nose with the middle ear needs to remain open to relieve pressure. Swallowing repeatedly activates the muscles that open Eustachian tube. Gum or hard candy can keep you busy swallowing. Yawning might even work better.

Having trouble faking a yawn? Pinch your nostrils and send air gently to the back of your nose, hear a pop? That is the sound of success. If you are flying with a cold or suffer from chronic airplane ear, take a decongestant a half hour before your takeoff. Even after landing, continue these pressure equalizing techniques until you feel at ease on the ground once again. If symptoms have not resolved after two days, consult your doctor.

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