Do your ears hurt when you're on a plane, especially during takeoff and landing? Don't worry—you're not alone. In fact, this is an extremely common condition people experience when there's a sudden change in water or air pressure, and the medical term for it is called ear barotrauma. While the pain usually resolves on its own after these sudden pressure shifts stop, it can persist for some time, even after you deplane. It may even affect your hearing or cause dizziness.
The reason ear barotrauma happens is because there's little time for your Eustachian tubes to react to these abrupt changes in pressure. Your Eustachian tubes are responsible for equalizing the pressure between your middle ear and outside air, so when an airplane climbs or descends, they can't compensate for the difference fast enough.
So, how do you relieve the pressure and unblock your Eustachian tubes and prevent getting airplane ear? Here are three hacks to try.
Yawning
When you're sitting for long hours on a plane, you're likely sleepy. That comes in handy, because not only will getting lots of shut-eye get you through your flight quicker, but it'll also trigger you to yawn more.
When your Eustachian tubes are blocked, one of the fastest and easiest ways to clear them is by yawning. This forces them to open briefly and allow air to flow into the middle ear, which helps equalize pressure on either side of the eardrum, making your ears pop. The bigger and more satisfying your yawn, the better chance you'll unblock your Eustachian tubes.
Chewing Gum or Sucking Candy
It's not just yawning that helps your Eustachian tubes open—swallowing does the trick, too. That's why you might hear people suggest chewing gum or sucking on candy to equalize pressure. It's not the sweet you choose that matters, but the saliva it forms. The more saliva, the more swallowing you'll do, and that keeps your Eustachian tubes open and the air flowing.
This method might work best for children, who may not be able to yawn big enough to allow their ears to pop. Even if it doesn't fully pop the ears, having gum or candy may help briefly distract them from the pain they're experiencing.
Valsalva Maneuver
If the two methods above don't work, try the Valsalva maneuver. Like yawning and swallowing, this technique helps your Eustachian tubes open, but it does so much more forcefully, allowing air to flow through.
To do it, take in a deep breath, hold it, and close your mouth. Then, pinch your nose closed and try exhaling through your plugged nostrils without actually letting any air out. You should hear your ears pop, and the pressure should equalize. You may sometimes have to repeat the maneuver more than once. If you're experiencing an abnormal heartbeat, the Valsalva maneuver can also help get your rhythm back to normal.
The next time you feel your ears plug up during takeoff and landing, try these hacks. That way, you'll be able to enjoy your flight—and your trip—without needing to deal with unnecessary discomfort.
