Ear After Flying Better | Blocked

If you have a cold or allergies, use a decongestant nasal spray about 30 minutes before descent. This reduces swelling in the tubes.

If you have a cold, allergies, or sinus issues, the Eustachian tube can become swollen shut. When it cannot open, a vacuum forms, sucking the eardrum inward. This causes the pain and the feeling of blockage.

Sucking on hard candy or chewing gum stimulates swallowing. Swallowing activates the muscles that open the Eustachian tube. Do this continuously during takeoff and landing, not just when you feel pain.

Dealing with a Blocked Ear After Flying: Causes, Cures, and Prevention blocked ear after flying

Products like "EarPlanes" contain a small ceramic filter that slows down the rate of air pressure change against your eardrum.

If congestion is the cause, breathe in steam from a hot shower or a bowl of hot water. This can help thin mucus and reduce swelling in the nasal passages. How to Prevent It on Your Next Flight

Pinch your nostrils shut, close your mouth, and gently try to blow air through your nose. Be careful not to blow too hard, as this can damage the eardrum. If you have a cold or allergies, use

If you know you have a flight coming up, especially if you are congested, take precautions before you board.

Persistent hearing loss that doesn't improve after 48 hours. Severe dizziness or vertigo.

Pinch your nose and take a few sips of water. The swallowing action combined with the sealed nose helps equalize pressure. When it cannot open, a vacuum forms, sucking

Your ear has a middle section separated from the outside world by the eardrum. Inside that middle ear is air. This air needs to be at the same pressure as the air outside your body for you to hear clearly and feel comfortable.

If you’ve ever stepped off a plane feeling like you’re underwater or struggling to hear the flight attendant, you’ve experienced "airplane ear." Formally known as , this muffled sensation is one of the most common complaints among travelers.