Does flying hurt toddlers ears?

But the pain is only temporary — it won't cause any lasting problems for kids and usually will ease within a few minutes as the Eustachian tubes open to let the air pressure equalize on both sides of the eardrums.



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For kids (especially babies and young children), it can feel especially odd and even be scary at first. But it's a common, normal part of flying. This sometimes uncomfortable sensation is related to pressure changes in the air space behind the eardrum (the middle ear).

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That's because rapid changes in cabin pressure don't allow the ear's Eustachian tubes time to adjust. Next time, use doctor-recommended EarPlanes. Insert them in your child's ears, and these soft, hypoallergenic filters regulate changing air pressure, eliminating discomfort while reducing noise.

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7 Ways to Soothe Your Kids' Ears on Flights
  1. #1 Pack a snack for takeoff and landing. ...
  2. #2 Clear up congestion. ...
  3. #3 Try pacifiers and lollipops. ...
  4. #4 Let her cry it out. ...
  5. #5 Try a little manipulation. ...
  6. #6 Keep your baby awake. ...
  7. #7 See a doctor before you fly if you suspect an ear infection.


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Give your child plenty of fluids during the flight to help unclog the ears. Avoid letting your child sleep during takeoff or landing. Children swallow more often when they are awake. Also, waking up with ear pain can be frightening for your child.

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If you can't give them an antihistamine, giving them ibuprofen or acetaminophen before the flight can help reduce pain. If your child is prone to severe ear pain when flying, you might give them both Benadryl and Tylenol before take-off.

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Also, airplane cabin noise levels are loud, especially during takeoff. Consider using cotton balls, noise-canceling headphones or small earplugs to limit your baby's exposure to this noise. This may help make it easier for your baby to sleep.

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Airplane ear typically lasts no longer than 20-30minutes from the time a plane starts to descend, however it is not uncommon for symptoms to last for up to an hour. If your symptoms, especially pain, persist for longer than one or two hours, you should call an ENT specialist.

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Sit away from the engine.
Seats in the front rows are farthest away from the engine and therefore better for your hearing. However, if you have to sit farther back in the plane, choose an aisle seat as they are several decibels quieter than window seats.

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The best time to fly with kids The best times, most agree, are between three and nine months, when kids aren't yet mobile, and any time after age two or three. The idea here is to bypass the toddler phase, and, more importantly, to avoid flying with young infants. The latter is especially risky says Dr.

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Noise From Planes Can Damage Your Hearing If you are on a particularly long flight or are a frequent traveler, your ears may be at risk. The good news is there are several easy ways to protect your hearing on flights: Put in earplugs. Use noise-canceling headphones.

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There is no specific altitude at which your ears pop, and during quick ascents, like during an aeroplane take-off, you may have to equalise or “pop” your ears a few times to keep up with the pressure changes. Other times, like on a slow walk up a hill, your ears may equalise themselves without you even noticing.

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Although airlines allow for children under 2 to sit on a parents lap, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) recommends for all young children to sit in a FAA approved car seat at all times during a flight. Flight attendants with the AFA are pushing for FAA to update safety regulations to not allow lap babies.

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While tots under 2 typically fly free on your lap on domestic flights, you may still want to consider booking your child his own seat. That way you can bring along your car seat or another child restraint system (CRS) to keep him safe and secure on board the plane.

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If your baby is particularly sensitive to loud noises, consider using ear plugs or ear muffs while flying. This will help block out any loud noises from the plane and reduce any potential discomfort caused by changes in air pressure.

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