Changes in air pressure during flying can cause ear-drum pain and perforation, vertigo, and hearing loss. It has been estimated that 10% of adults and 22% of children might have damage to the ear drum after a flight, although perforation is rare. Symptoms usually resolve spontaneously.

Feeling "deaf" or having a "clogged" ear after flying is usually caused by barotrauma, which happens when the air pressure in your middle ear doesn't equalize with the cabin pressure as the plane descends. This creates a vacuum that pulls the eardrum inward, muffling sound. It is often exacerbated if you have a cold, allergies, or sinus congestion, as the Eustachian tube—which normally regulates this pressure—becomes blocked. In 2026, most cases resolve within a few hours or days as the pressure naturally equalizes. You can help the process by yawning, swallowing, or using the Valsalva maneuver (gently blowing through your nose while pinching it shut). If the feeling persists for more than a week, or if you experience sharp pain or fluid drainage, you should see a doctor, as it could indicate a middle ear infection or a more significant pressure injury.