Why do ears pop on some flights and not others?

According to the Mayo Clinic, it results from an imbalance in air pressure between the air pressure inside the cabin of the airplane, and the pressure in your middle ear. This difference can happen during rapid changes in altitude and the resulting discomfort is something most air travelers have experienced.



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While there is no scientific proof that earplugs actually help with in-flight ear pain, anyone who feels like they are a benefit should continue to use them to relieve their pain. Some other effective methods of reducing pressure include swallowing, yawning, blowing your nose, and chewing gum.

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Spray Afrin nasal decongestant spray twice into each nostril one hour prior to flying. Begin taking a decongestant, like Sudafed, one hour before the flight. Both of these medications can be purchased over-the-counter in a drug store.

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While there is no scientific proof that earplugs actually help with in-flight ear pain, anyone who feels like they are a benefit should continue to use them to relieve their pain. Some other effective methods of reducing pressure include swallowing, yawning, blowing your nose, and chewing gum.

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Chewing gum, sucking on candy, or swallowing liquid can help to encourage the tubes in your ears to open once more. Try steam: Just like when you're congested with a cold or flu, steam can help to unblock your ears.

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Chewing. Chewing is another practice that helps pilots to relieve ear popping. Just like yawning or swallowing liquids, chewing also stretches areas around the ears, equalizing the pressure inside the ear.

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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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Mild symptoms of ear barotrauma usually last a few minutes. If they last longer, you may need treatment for an infection or another problem. Serious damage, such as a burst eardrum, may take a few months to heal. Sometimes you may need surgery to repair the eardrum or the opening into your middle ear.

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Alpine FlyFit filters are designed to regulate this pressure like a valve, so your ears can adapt! No more pain when taking off or landing in an airplane. A must-have for everybody who experiences pain while flying.

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Noise From Planes Can Damage Your Hearing Exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels has the potential to cause hearing loss. The inside of a plane often hovers right around that volume while in-flight and can be even louder during takeoff and landing.

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Active noise-canceling headphones protect your hearing to some degree because, with the blocking of ambient outside noise, you don't have to listen to your music as loud. But that doesn't mean you can't still damage your hearing with noise-canceling headphones.

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Airlines give them out in amenity kits so yes, millions of people have used them. I personally don't like the harder foam ones given out by the airline as they cause ear pain. My wife bought a pair of silica gel earplugs that she uses a lot. they don't seem to cause ear pain like the foam ones can.

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Treat congestion before your trip
If you're congested from allergies or an upper respiratory infection, it's important to do what you can to resolve the congestion before you fly. Common treatments for congestion include antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays.

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If you start to notice this pressure building, you can try some of these strategies:
  1. Take an antihistamine if needed before your flight. ...
  2. Yawn or swallow during takeoff.
  3. Try chewing a piece of gum or candy during takeoff, if yawning and swallowing don't work for you.


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Your doctor might suggest you take:
  • Decongestant nasal sprays.
  • Oral decongestants.


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Definitely recommend noise-canceling headphones for longer flights. They may not be as flexible as earbuds, but blocking out that engine drone and surrounding activity more than makes up for it, in my experience.

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Where can I find EarPlanes? EarPlanes and Children's EarPlanes are available at all major drug, mass, supermarket and airport retailers such as Amazon.com, CVS, Walgreens, Eckerd, Osco, Sav-On, Rite Aid, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, Kroger, Paradies, Hudson News, Host Marriott, as well as EarPlanes.com.

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