Airplane ear (ear barotrauma) is the stress on your eardrum that occurs when the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment are out of balance. You might get airplane ear when on an airplane that's climbing after takeoff or descending for landing.
During sudden ascend or descend of an aeroplane, ear cavity pressure is often decreased complemented by an increase in the cabin compared to the outside air pressure. In such a scenario, the unusual stretching of the eardrum or tympanic membrane may precipitate pain in the ear.
Valsalva Maneuver
This involves pinching the nostrils, keeping the mouth closed, and gently breathing out. Air pressure in the nasal cavity is increased and should force air into the Eustachian tubes and middle ear, equalizing the pressure.
Mild symptoms of ear barotrauma usually last a few minutes. If they last longer, you may need treatment for an infection or another problem. Serious damage, such as a burst eardrum, may take a few months to heal. Sometimes you may need surgery to repair the eardrum or the opening into your middle ear.
There are a number of signs and symptoms that can indicate a ruptured eardrum. They include some of the following: a sudden increase or decrease in pain, bloody discharge from the ear with pus, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo or a spinning sensation, and nausea and vomiting from the vertigo.
Choose the Quietest Part Of the Plane
It's also the case if you have a window seat, no matter where on the plane you are, the study revealed. This suggests you should book ear-friendlier seats from the middle up to the top of the aircraft and along the aisle.
If you or your child has severe ear pain that is accompanied by swelling under or behind the ear, difficulty moving parts of your face (as you would normally) or have a sudden high fever or drastic personality changes (irritation/lethargy), it is critical to see a doctor right away.
While this feeling is often temporary, it can sometimes cause moderate pain and continue throughout the flight. Even though many pilots get used to the air pressure changes while in the air, pilots have developed techniques that help them to deal with ear popping when it occurs.
Cabin pressure and overbearing white noise prevents air travelers from falling asleep or even feeling comfortable. And a complimentary bag of pretzels doesn't help any of these issues, but a quality pair of headphones can improve the experience of flying.
When your ears are badly affected, it will take longer for the blockage to clear and the pressure in your ears to equalise. In the worst cases, if the inner ear is sucked in by lower pressure inside the middle ear, it could cause lasting damage to your hearing.
In most cases, there's nothing serious to worry about and you can safely wait to see if the problem clears up on its own. "In general I would wait a couple of days, depending on the level of discomfort. But if you're in pain or the problem is affecting your hearing, I would go (to the doctor) right away,” says Kim.
Fluid or mucus sometimes accumulates in the middle ear for a few days after the flight, which may make hearing rather dull for a while.
Short-term (acute) ear infection. Long-term (chronic) ear infection. Ear injury from pressure changes (from high altitudes and other causes) Object stuck in the ear or buildup of ear wax.
Managing pain
Your doctor will advise you on treatments to lessen pain from an ear infection. These may include the following: Pain medication. Your doctor may advise the use of over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) to relieve pain.
Most ear infections clear up within three to five days and don't need any specific treatment. If necessary, paracetamol or ibuprofen should be used to relieve pain and a high temperature. Make sure any painkillers you give to your child are appropriate for their age.
The Mayo Clinic notes that although the majority of ear infections do not cause lasting problems, recurring infections left untreated can lead to serious complications. Due to swelling and/or fluid buildup, ear infections often cause mild hearing loss, however it usually clears up along with the infection.
But it's best not to sleep on your infected ear – and not just because it's uncomfortable. If you're an adult with a middle ear infection, elevating the affected ear makes it easier for the infection to drain out. So, sleep on your other side or tuck a few extra pillows under your head if sleeping on your back.
They reduce pressure buildup in your ears and can ease your pain as the pilot takes the plane in for a landing. If you plan on travelling off for a sunny vacation this summer and suffer from ear pain on long flights, your hearing solutions experts in Calgary recommend you use airplane earplugs.
Earplugs help in slowing down the change in pressure in the inner ear, thus giving your ears time to adjust to the shift in pressure. This makes you feel less uncomfortable when flying, particularly when used with other equalizing techniques like yawning or blowing your nose.
The most important preventive measure is to avoid flying when symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection are present. When this is not possible, passengers should yawn, swallow, or chew to relieve pressure in the middle ear. Use of the Valsalva maneuver and decongestants or antihistamines may be helpful.
Most ruptured (perforated) eardrums heal without treatment within a few weeks. Your provider may prescribe antibiotic drops if there's evidence of infection. If the tear or hole in the eardrum doesn't heal by itself, treatment will likely involve procedures to close the tear or hole.