You've reached cruising altitude, the turbulence has subsided, and you're comfortably seated in your seat, ready to focus entirely on the in-flight entertainment. The only issue is that you can't get your ears clear.
This ailment, sometimes referred to as "airplane ear," is brought on by an imbalance in air pressure between the middle ear and the airplane cabin, which leaves you with the painful sense that your ears are full or plugged. As per the Cleveland Clinic, the most prevalent type of barotraumas, which are medical disorders that arise when your body encounters a sudden or significant change in air or water pressure, is ear barotrauma. (Barotraumas can also occur during swimming or diving or even riding an elevator.)
According to Dr. Kimberly Lee, an assistant clinical professor in the Division of Head & Neck Surgery at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and board-certified plastic surgeon located in Los Angeles, "it's very common to get that ear fullness when on planes because of the change in air pressure." "Ear fullness and discomfort, which make you want to pop your ears, are caused by the eardrum acting like a suction cup when the pressures inside and outside of it aren't equal."
The favorable tidings? It's easy and quick to clear your ears, and we have a few expert-recommended strategies and tricks to safely stave off discomfort. Certain tourists may need to take extra precautions and awareness, such as infants and small children and anyone with sinus issues.
We provide all the information you need to know about one of the most frequent annoyances of flying in this article, including the reason behind why your ears pop and safe ways to clean them.
Why do our ears pop on airplanes?
A brief course in biology first. When the air pressure in your surroundings and the middle ear are out of balance, your eardrum—technically known as the tympanic membrane—cannot vibrate regularly, which results in airplane ear. The reason for this is that the Eustachian tube, a tiny opening that connects to the middle ear and controls air pressure by gradually releasing it, is unable to react swiftly enough to the pressure shift.
Why can’t I pop my ears?
Ear infections caused by allergies or colds that inflame mucous membranes are frequently the cause of difficult-to-clear ears. The Eustachian tube becomes clogged as a result of the inflammation, making it difficult for it to open and close normally. This can make flying uncomfortable. In the worst case scenario, you can bleed into the area behind your eardrum or burst it.
"The likelihood of developing an ear issue increases with the severity of the cold," states Dr. Alicia M. Quesnel, an otologist and neurotologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. If you have to travel when sick, try to avoid connecting flights as much as possible to reduce the amount of ups and downs you endure.
What is the easiest way to pop your ears?
1. Yawn or talk to activate the Eustachian tube
A simple method to relieve moderate discomfort is to open or close your mouth. You can even replicate the wide expansion of your mouth to simulate a false yawn.
This is because these activities are connected to the crucial Eustachian tube, says Dr. LaTasha Seliby Perkins, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and a family physician in Washington, DC. "When your mouth is open, the muscles surrounding the Eustachian tube pull on it, causing it to expand, whereas when your jaw is closed, those muscles contract, resulting in a smaller tube," the expert explains. “That’s why something like chewing can help, because it opens and closes [the tube].”
2. Chew gum, swallow liquid, or suck on candy
Board-certified otolaryngologist Dr. Gary Snyder of New York advises popping a piece of gum before takeoff and landing. Dr. Snyder advises against using just any kind of gum, stating that mint gum produces more saliva and swallowing, which is beneficial for the ears during airplane travel.
By drinking water or another liquid during flight and landing, you can also multitask on being hydrated and maintaining clear hearing. Eating sweets also helps.
3. Try a long-acting nasal decongestant
To counteract any inflammation that may be influencing your nasal passages and interfering with the operation of your Eustachian tube, many ENT physicians advise using a long-acting nasal decongestant. Oral decongestants should be taken two to three hours before your expected arrival time, and nasal sprays should be used approximately one hour beforehand, advises the Stanford Ear Institute.
4. Try the Toynbee maneuver
This easy-to-use yet powerful ear-popping method is also well-liked by scuba divers. Shut your nostrils and swallow at the same time. Go slowly; it may feel a little strange at first.
5. Try the Valsalva maneuver
Medical experts may advise patients to use this breathing technique to examine autonomic nervous system issues or to assist slow down an excessively rapid heart rate. It's actually quite easy, despite its fancy name. Mercy Health says this is how you do it: Take a big breath, hold it, then seal your mouth and compress your nose. Next, exhale for ten to fifteen seconds while bearing down—yes, like you're attempting to use the restroom—and exhale like you're trying to blow up a balloon. Try it again after repeating if it doesn't work. Alternating it with the Toynbee move is another option.
With each of these methods, there is one caution: don't go overboard. Blowing too forcefully can pierce your eardrum.
6. Try to stay awake during takeoff and landing
Do you count among those passengers who snore before takeoff or who are still asleep when the wheels touch the tarmac? You might be more prone to developing airplane ear. This is due to the fact that you won't be yawning, eating, chewing, or engaging in any other actions that could induce a spontaneous ear prickling while you're asleep. According to the Stanford Ear Institute, this can leave your Eustachian tube "already locked closed" when you wake up. However, by remaining alert during flight and landing and making sure your ears have popped before you let yourself sleep, you can prevent this discomfort.
7. Use specially designed earplugs to mitigate the rapid change in pressure
Not only may earplugs help you sleep soundly in strange surroundings, but they can also lessen the pain associated with popping ears. A few travelers also vouch for EarPlanes, hypoallergenic earplugs with a unique shape that helps control ear pressure. They come in both reusable and disposable varieties, and their special filter controls air pressure, which ought to lessen discomfort.
8. Apply a heating pad or warm washcloth to your ear
If your ears won't pop, try using a heated washcloth or heating pad to help your Eustachian tubes dilate. The heat should facilitate the tube's unclogging and enable the built-up ear pressure to be released.
9. Consider pressure equalization tubes.
If you experience pressure-related ear ache on every takeoff and landing (whether or not you have a cold), the cause may be underlying Eustachian tube malfunction. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 70% of children have this illness before the age of seven, whereas 1% of adults have a diagnosis. If you have Eustachian tube dysfunction and travel frequently, you may want to think about getting pressure equalization tubes implanted in your ears. This quick, painless 15-minute anesthetic procedure helps your ears release fluid and control pressure. Implants are good for a year or two. It should only be used as a last option, though, as the tubes may cause perforations in the ear drums or infections in the ears.
How to ease ear discomfort in kids?
Since their ear systems might still be developing, the tiny ones who are crying throughout takeoff and landing are probably in a great deal of pain. Furthermore, airplane ear is a "brand new sensation" for neonates, as noted by Dr. Perkins. "They are clueless about how to handle it and how to adjust the pressure by manipulating the muscles in their faces."
Thankfully, a lot of the adult-specific ear-clearing advice and techniques also apply to children. For infants, pacifiers also function well to maintain the sucking mechanism during takeoff and landing, as does nursing or using a bottle. Conversely, older kids can gnaw on a hard candy, lollipop, or even gum (just remember to throw it away correctly!). Additionally, EarPlanes offers a smaller-ear version for children who don't mind using earplugs.
Lastly, you might want to think twice about traveling if your child has a bad cold or an ear infection—or, at the absolute least, be ready for some extra discomfort. "Middle ear infections are frequently linked to increased fluid accumulation in the middle ear space, which exacerbates the pressure differential and ultimately causes increased pain," says Dr. Christina Johns, a pediatric emergency physician and senior medical advisor at PM Pediatric Care, which has locations across the country. "Children with ear infections may experience more severe discomfort."
Comentários