How to Relieve Ear Pressure When Traveling in High Elevations

Ear pressure can be painful.

The uncomfortable ear pressure felt at high elevations is the result of unequal pressure between the middle ear, the eardrum and the inner ear. This ear pressure, known as barotrauma, can range from mildly annoying to extremely painful. Colds and sinus infections can increase the incidence of high-altitude ear pressure. Severe or untreated barotrauma can result in temporary hearing loss, vomiting and nosebleeds. Several simple remedies can help relieve high-elevation ear pressure.

Things You'll Need

• Chewing gum
• Candy
• Baby bottle
• Pacifier
• Antihistamine
• Decongestant

Instructions

1. Swallow often. This simple remedy will often relieve ear pressure.

2. Chew gum. The movement of the jaw while chewing gum helps to relieve ear pressure. Chewing gum will also cause you to swallow more often.

3. Yawn, or go through the actions of yawning. Yawning stretches the jaw and can be very effective in equalizing ear pressure.

4. Suck on candy. Along with the helpful sucking action, candy will increase your saliva production, enabling you to swallow more often.

5. Breastfeed babies often during high-elevation travel to relieve their ear pressure. You can also give them a bottle or pacifier.

6. Take antihistamines or decongestants prior to traveling to higher elevations to prevent the buildup of ear pressure.

7. Take a breath of air and then gently exhale while holding your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. Try this method only if the other methods have failed. Do not attempt this method if you have a cold or sinus infection.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek medical attention if you are unable to relieve your ear pressure. Ear infections present many of the same symptoms as ear pressure.

References

• Discovery Health: Ear Unclogging From High Altitudes
• Medline Plus: Ear Barotrauma