Why Your Ears Feel Weird on Airplanes
If you’ve ever been on a plane and felt your ears suddenly block, pop, or even hurt a little, you’re not alone. This sensation is extremely common during flights and is often referred to as “airplane ear” or ear barotrauma. While it can be uncomfortable, it’s usually temporary and has a very simple explanation: air pressure changes.
The Science Behind Airplane Ear
When a plane climbs after takeoff or descends before landing, the air pressure inside the cabin changes quickly. Even though airplanes are pressurized, the cabin pressure still shifts significantly as the aircraft moves through different altitudes.
Your middle ear, which sits just behind your eardrum, is filled with air. For you to feel comfortable, the pressure inside the middle ear needs to match the cabin pressure around you. The Eustachian tube, a narrow passage connecting the middle ear to the back of your nose and throat, is responsible for equalizing this pressure.
However, when cabin pressure changes faster than your body can adjust, the pressure inside your ear and the surrounding air no longer match. This imbalance stretches your eardrum, which creates that blocked or “full” sensation in your ears. Sometimes you’ll hear crackling or popping sounds as the pressure tries to equalize, and in certain cases, you may even feel mild discomfort or pain.
Why It Happens More During Takeoff and Landing
You’re most likely to notice airplane ear during rapid altitude changes, specifically when the plane is climbing shortly after takeoff or descending toward the runway. These are the times when cabin pressure shifts the fastest, making it harder for the middle ear to keep up.
If you already have a cold, allergies, or sinus congestion, the problem can be worse. That’s because congestion can block the Eustachian tube, making it more difficult for pressure to equalize.
How to Relieve the Pressure
Fortunately, there are simple tricks you can use to ease the discomfort:
- Yawning or swallowing: These natural movements activate the muscles that open the Eustachian tube, allowing air to flow in or out of the middle ear.
- Chewing gum or sucking on candy: This encourages frequent swallowing, which helps equalize the pressure.
- The Valsalva maneuver: Pinch your nose shut, close your mouth, and gently blow as if you’re trying to exhale. This forces air into the Eustachian tube and can quickly balance the pressure.
- Staying hydrated: Keeping your throat moist makes it easier to swallow frequently, which helps open the Eustachian tube more often.
Can You Prevent It?
While you can’t stop cabin pressure changes, you can minimize discomfort. Try chewing gum or sipping water during takeoff and landing to keep your Eustachian tube active. If you’re dealing with a cold or allergies, a nasal decongestant (used before boarding) may help keep your airways clear. Special filtered earplugs designed for flying can also slow the pressure changes against your eardrum, making the adjustment feel smoother.
FAQs
Can children experience airplane ear more severely than adults?
Yes. Children’s Eustachian tubes are narrower and more horizontal, making it harder for them to equalize pressure, so they may cry or show more discomfort during descent.
Do colds or allergies make airplane ear worse?
They can. Nasal congestion or sinus inflammation can block the Eustachian tube, making pressure regulation more difficult and symptoms more intense.
Can airplane ear affect hearing after the flight?
In some cases, yes. Temporary muffled hearing may last for hours or even a day if the pressure difference irritated the middle ear. Rarely, prolonged issues may need medical care.
Are there medical devices that help prevent airplane ear?
Yes. Special earplugs, such as “earplanes,” regulate the speed of air pressure changes, reducing discomfort during takeoff and landing.
Is airplane ear dangerous for people with ear surgery or chronic ear problems?
It can be. People with perforated eardrums, recent ear surgery, or chronic otitis media should consult a doctor before flying, since pressure changes may cause complications.
