How to unblock your ears after a flight

Say goodbye to inflight pain. 

Blame your Eustachian tubes.

Aeroplane air - or if you’re American airplane ear - is a legit medical condition. Also known as ear barotrauma, the Mayo Clinic defines it is “the stress on your eardrum that occurs when the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment are out of balance.” It most often occurs on takeoff and landing. 

What causes ear pain on a flight?

It all comes down to a narrow passage called the Eustachian tube that joins the middle ear to the back of the nose and upper part of the throat. When it doesn’t react quickly enough to regulate air pressure, ear discomfort occurs. Now that we know it’s all about air pressure changes in the middle ear space, what are the risk factors?

Knowing the risk factors for ear pain can make your next flight bliss.

Risk factors for inflight ear pain

Recent neck surgery, an ear infection - oftentimes middle ear infections, sinus infection, hay fever and even sleeping during takeoff and landing can exacerbate the condition.

How to cure inflight ear discomfort

The good news is that sometimes your ears pop naturally as they equalise pressure. If you want to help your ears drain fluid, you can always bust out the Valsalva manoeuvre, where you gently blow your nose while pinching your nostrils and keeping your mouth closed with your nose shut. This regulates air pressure. Another way to pop your ears and show the eustachian tubes some love and alleviate pressure related ear pain is to chew gum. Forcing a yawn or two can also be effective against pressure related air pain as can a decongestant nasal spray taken half an hour before flying.

Originally published as How to unblock your ears after a flight