Prevent airplane ear with these home remedies

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Health tips: Prevent or reduce airplane ear

Dear Reader,

'Tis the season for air travel. For many air travelers, takeoffs and landings cause uncomfortable pressure in their inner ear, a phenomenon called "airplane ear." The medical name for airplane ear is ear barotrauma, or barotitis media. It refers to the stress exerted on your eardrum, eustachian tube and other ear structures when air pressure in your middle ear and air pressure in the environment are out of balance.

Signs and symptoms may include pain in one ear, slight hearing loss or a stuffy feeling in both ears. This is caused by your eardrum bulging outward or retracting inward as a result of the change in pressure.

Any condition that can interfere with the normal function of the middle ear can increase the risk of airplane ear. This would include a stuffy nose, an allergy, a cold or a throat infection. Not all colds require a change in travel plans. However, a severe cold or an ear infection may be a reason to change or delay a flight.

Home remedies to prevent or reduce airplane ear:

Use a decongestant. Take a decongestant about 30 minutes to an hour before takeoff and 30 minutes to an hour before landing. This may prevent blockage of your eustachian tube. If you have heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder or high blood pressure or if you’ve experienced possible medication interactions, avoid taking an oral decongestant.
During the flight, suck on candy or chew gum. This encourages swallowing, which helps open your eustachian tube.
Don’t sleep during ascents and descents. If you’re awake during ascents and descents, you can do the necessary self-care techniques when you feel pressure on your ears.
Try the Valsalva maneuver to unplug your ears. Gently blow, as if blowing your nose, while pinching your nostrils and keeping your mouth closed. If you can swallow at the same time, it’s more helpful. Repeat several times to equalize the pressure between your ears and the airplane cabin.
Look for specially designed filtered earplugs. These earplugs slowly equalize the pressure against your eardrum during ascents and descents. You can purchase these at drugstores, airport gift shops or your local hearing clinic.
Give infants and children fluid. Drinking fluids during ascent and descent encourages swallowing. Give the child a bottle or pacifier to encourage swallowing. Decongestants should not be used in infants or young children.

Usually, you can do things on your own to treat airplane ear. If discomfort, fullness or muffled hearing lasts more than a few hours or if you experience any severe signs or symptoms, call your doctor.

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