If you’ve ever taken a flight, you know that flying can be really painful on your ears. In fact, the change in air pressure and the noise of the plane engines can cause ear pain during flights.
In order to avoid ear pain, it is important to take precautions before flight time, such as using decongestants and wearing a correctly fitted headset. There are also other ways to avoid or relieve ear pain during a flight.
Swallowing frequently, yawning, and chewing gum can all help to open the Eustachian tube and relieve ear pain. But there is so much more to know and we’ll go through all the details in this post.
Why You Get Ear Pain in Airplanes
If you are experiencing ear pain or pressure it might be from a condition called “Airplane Ear”. The air pressure changes can cause your Eustachian tubes to swell and make the ears feel full and can eventually cause pain and discomfort.
The most common symptoms are discomfort, blocked ears, and muffled hearing. To prevent and solve this problem, ear plugs are specifically designed for airplanes and typically used by travelers.
There are different ways to counter this issue such as swallowing, yawning, or chewing a gum. But there are more efficient and convenient ways to fix this issue like using Aurifix.
Is Airplane Ear Common?
Airplane ear is a typical occurrence, however, it tends to affect people differently. Some individuals may experience pain, and others may only report minor discomfort or even no pain whatsoever. In case you suffer from an ear infection, you will find it to be much more distressing and uncomfortable. Once the airplane has landed, most persons recover quickly from airplane ear.
Who is at Risk of Airplane Ear?
Airplane ear is a condition that affects everyone who travels flying. Individuals with extremely narrow or small Eustachian tube like young children are more susceptible to it, and they could have worse symptoms.
Also, anyone who had repeated ear infections or eardrums in the past is at risk of developing air travel-related hearing loss.
Can you Prevent Airplane Ear?
Ear pain is a common problem that can be caused by a number of factors, such as the change in air pressure during a flight.
The best way to prevent it is by using Aurifix before flying. You will increase your ear health, allowing you to be protected from hearing deficiency caused by loud noises, previous infections, and airplane ear.
Apart from that, it is important to remain awake during the plane’s takeoff and landing, since this is when a person’s ears are more sensitive to airplane ear. Eating, chewing a gum, and drinking, or using decongestants before flying can help improve Eustachian tube function.
When air pressure drops throughout the flight, decongestants might help the Eustachian tube.
How to Treat Ear Pain During a Flight
Flying can be a pain, especially when it comes to your ears. But with a little preparation, you can avoid the discomfort and pain that often comes with air travel.
Ear pain is a common problem for flyers, and it can be really uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help prevent it. Here are three tips to get you started:
Yawn and Swallow Frequently
This is to help equalize the pressure in your ears. The clicking or popping sound you may hear when you swallow is a little bubble of air that has passed from the back of the nose into the middle ear, via the Eustachian tube.
The more open the Eustachian tube is, the better it will react to air pressure and, ultimately, you will experience airplane ear less.
Bring Along a Chewing Gum
Chewing helps to equalize the pressure in your ears, which can help reduce the risk of pain. To assist equalize the pressure, you can chew a gum while on the flight, particularly during departure and prior to the plane’s descent.
Do the Valsalva maneuver
The Valsalva maneuver is a proven method for alleviating ear discomfort and pain during a flight. This is a simple procedure and you simply blow your nose as your nostrils are pinched. When you apply enough pressure, you start feeling your ears pop since air is pushed into the middle ear.
This allows the pressure accumulated inside the inner ear to equalize with the surrounding environment, which helps to alleviate discomfort. You can practice the Valsalva technique whenever you experience persistent earache during long flights. Repeat the process a few times, and you’re likely to get relief from ear pain.
What is the Best Seat in the Plane to Avoid Ear Pain?
According to Airbus, it’s noisier at the back of the plane than at the front owing to the sound blast from the propellers and engines. It’s also true if you have a window seat, this is because you’re getting noise from outside. This implies that seats in the middle section up to near the top of the plane and along the aisle are ear-friendly.
What are the Complications of Airplane Ear?
Airplane ear is generally a minor problem. Occasionally, severe pressure might result in a perforated eardrum, which occurs as a result of intense pain that disappears quickly.
After a few weeks, a perforated eardrum usually heals without medical intervention. That being said, in case you have any of these symptoms after a flight, visit your doctor as soon as possible:
- Not hearing anymore
- A discharge coming out of your ear
- Experience Tinnitus – Ringing in ears
- Feel nauseous – This could be Vertigo
Again, complications are rare and you will probably not experience them after flying, especially if you take Aurifix.
Conclusion
Flying is a common way to travel long distances, but it can often be uncomfortable for the ears. As a matter of fact, one of the most common issues people have when flying is ear pain.
This was everything you had to know about Airplane ear before flying and the best ways to prevent and treat it efficiently.