Why Do My Ears Hurt When I Fly in an Airplane?

Almost everyone experiences some ear pain when flying

Ear pain is one of the most uncomfortable parts of flying in an airplane. Pain usually occurs during take-off and landing, when the air pressure in the cabin changes.

Cause

Ear pain is caused by unequal pressure between the outer and middle ears.

The Eustachian Tubes

The Eustachian tubes connect the middle and outer ear and equalize pressure between them.

Pain

The tubes can become narrow during flight, preventing the equalization of pressure. According to yourownhealth.com, this can cause ear pain or muffled hearing.

Relief

To help equalize pressure, chew gum or swallow deliberately. Also try holding your nose shut and, with your mouth closed, very carefully blow until the ears pop.

Prevention

Avoid flying if your allergies are flaring up or if you have a cold, which makes the Eustachian tubes even narrower. You may also want to take a decongestant a few hours before flying to open up the passages in your ears and allow them to pop more easily.

References

• YourOwnHealth.com: When Ears Have an Altitude Problem