Easing the Discomfort of Airplane Ear Air travelers complain about ear discomfort more than any other medical problem -- presumably because just about everyone who flies feels a muffled or plugged-up sensation in their ears during takeoffs and landings owing to changes in air pressure inside the cabin of the airplane. But some people -- those who have colds, allergies, sinus infections or anatomy that makes them more vulnerable to pressure changes -- suffer pain and even temporary hearing loss. The cause of airplane ear -- also called barotrauma or barotitis media -- is unequal pressure between the middle ear and the cabin of the airplane. Normally, the eustachian tube, which connects your middle ear to the back of your throat, equalizes the pressure. But if the tube is blocked because of congestion or some other reason, the unequal pressure creates a vacuum, stretching the eardrum. During landings, when pressure changes are felt more intensely, the eardrum is pulled inward, causing pain and sometimes dizziness. The eardrum may also not vibrate normally, which impairs hearing. What to do. You can take several steps to ease pressure problems. Swallowing -- or, better yet, yawning -- activates the muscle that opens the eustachian tube and helps to equalize pressure in the middle ear. Chewing gum also helps. If you suffer from pain on a regular basis, spraying both nostrils with a decongestant spray or taking a decongestant pill an hour before takeoff and/ or before landing should help shrink mucous membranes and relieve some of the pressure on the eardrum. If pain after landing ever persists beyond a few hours, or if your ears continue to feel blocked, see your doctor, who can determine if you have an injury or infection that requires treatment.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 13:19:41 +0000
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