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Painful ears when flying. POP your ears

Submitted by Lillian

I had to fly 2-4 days a week for many years. The quickest and easiest way to deal with painful ears is to pinch you nose and blow (gently) until your ears "pop" and the pressure is equalized.

Visitors comments

You might not want to do that........... Comments By: Kevin on 2004-10-13 "NEVER, repeat: NEVER hold your nose and blow in order to clear your ears. If your throat is infected you will blow infecteous mucus into your inner ear, causing an infection there. Instead, swallow hard several times to 'wipe' clear the opening of the eustachian tube, then immediately yawn and stretch your jaw foreward in repeated efforts to open the tube enough to equalize the pressure." TipKing Says: This is not true, divers equalize the pressure in their ears all the time by holding the nose and blowing. I know as I am an experienced diver.   Ditto on popping your ears Comments By: anita on 2006-05-12 I agree with TipKing. My ENT advised the me to try and clear my ears by holding my nose and gently blowing; however, for what it's worth,I will say that I was on a decongestant at the time. He told me to do this about every five minutes or so.   This is what my ENT said!! Comments By: Kierra on 2007-11-20 My ENT told me to hold me nose blow untill my ear pop!!   Popping your Ears Comments By: Jen on 2008-09-17 I have been to see an ENT Specialist also and he advised me that by 'pinching your nose and blowing' to pop your ears(equalising), this can actually do more damage than you think, because if you blow too hard, you may actually perforate your ear drum. Fortunately for me, I have never been able to equalise! but unfortunately for me I have been told I can never go diving and have been told to avoid flying also.   think twice..... Comments By: Ceri on 2009-01-24 The problem is, pinching your nose and blowing can work for some people, however you cannot judge how hard to blow. I have sinced perforated both ear drums from doing this, and now wish i had used nasal spray and decongestants. My hearing is all over the place and im due to fly soon, but im hoping the holes in my ear drrums may even help as i shouldnt have pressure build up! fingers crossed!   Comments By: Sue on 2009-02-09 I have tried sudafed prior to, during, and after a flight, using the pinch your nose and blowing method, chewing gum, yawning... and my ear still won't pop.   Painful ears and flying Comments By: Mags on 2010-09-02 The first time I flew years ago I was not aware of flying = ear pain. When I started to board the plane I told the stewardess I was afraid because of the pain I had with my ears for days after my first flight. She said "I be sure and let the pilot know you have a problem". Did not know what she meant by that, but my ears did not hurt and ever since then when I fly, that's what I do. When we landed, I thanked her and she said "oh, let me let you tell the pilot yourself". Of course that was many years ago. My ENT also told me to use nasal spray right before boarding too.   Finally found a way to clear my ears, works GREAT and SAFT. Comments By: Frequent flyer on 2010-10-25 I have had severe ear pain all my life when flying because of the change in pressure. Just figured out a what works for me and is worth a try. I yawn as much as I can, and with my mouth open, I swallow. Clears the ears with no pain, and no risk of blowing your ear drums. Try and please let me know how it works.   Finally found a way to clear my ears, works GREAT and SAFE. Comments By: Frequent flyer on 2010-10-25 I have had severe ear pain all my life when flying because of the change in pressure. Just figured out a what works for me and is worth a try. I yawn as much as I can, and with my mouth open, I swallow. Clears the ears with no pain, and no risk of blowing your ear drums. Try and please let me know how it works.