Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy - Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy will stimulate frequent swallowing which helps equalize air pressure. Valsalva maneuver - With a mouthful of air, close your mouth and pinch your nostrils shut. Gently force air out until ears your ears pop. This opens the Eustacian tubes.

Pilots primarily avoid "airplane ear" (barotrauma) by proactively equalizing the pressure in their middle ear with the changing cabin altitude. They are trained to use the Valsalva maneuver, which involves pinching the nostrils shut and gently blowing air through the nose to force open the Eustachian tubes. Another professional technique is the Toynbee maneuver, where they pinch their nose and swallow simultaneously. Because they fly frequently, many pilots also develop the ability to "vuntary pop" their ears by shifting their jaw or tensing specific throat muscles without needing to use their hands. Staying hydrated is also crucial, as it keeps the mucus membranes thin and the Eustachian tubes more pliable. Importantly, pilots are strictly grounded if they have a cold or sinus congestion, as the resulting inflammation can block pressure equalization entirely, potentially leading to a ruptured eardrum—a condition known in aviation as a "sinus block" or "ear block."