How to prevent ears from popping... (planes, overnight, flights, trip)

[CHICAGOLAND92]

Hello, sorry if there is already a thread like this.

I take planes very often.. and STILL haven't found a way to minimize the effects of keeping my ears from popping. I've tried chewing gum, listening to music, etc. But nothing seems to be working for me


Does anyone have a "secret" as to how to keep your ears from popping, or minimizing the effect?

Thanks for all that reply

[eggalegga]

I would think you'd WANT your ears to pop and relieve the pressure. I have a horrible time when I climb in altitude. Chewing gum doesn't help me either. In the past 5 years, it's gotten (I know that's not a word) much worse. Now just driving through a canyon will trigger ear pressure for me.

[Chinolala]

I have really messed up ears. If I were a child right now, I'd have those tubes put in by an ear specialist. After ear problems when flying (my ears COMPLETELY blocked once upon landing in Jamaica..I was literally nearly deaf and had to seek medical attention after we got to the resort), I have found something that works for me....here goes...

I start taking Sudafed 5 days prior to travel. I don't know why, but this helps.

I buy ear plugs from CVS, Walgreens, etc. These help immensely. I put them in prior to take off. Leave them in until the plane has reached cruising altitude. As soon as I feel any desent, I put them back in until landing.

Hope this helps. Try it next time!

[foma]

I hate it when my ears pop! I think chewing gum helps alleviate the pressure but it doesn't prevent the pressure from building. I'd love to hear tips, too!

[annielf]

I've flown frequently in the last 10 years, most of it long distance. I have terrible problems with my ears blocking up and serious pain upon descent. I have to shove my fingers in my ears for the last 30 minutes or so before landing or it's very painful. This doesn't stop them blocking up, but doesn't hurt as much. Ear plugs don't help.

I also take Sudafed a couple of days before flying, and use ear drops for about a week before. I take a Sudafed or sinus pill a couple of hours before landing as well. I drink lots of water because this stuff really dehydrates you and flying does that anyway.

Chewing gum does nothing for me, but a great big yawn helps unblock my ears. Close your eyes and do very slow breathing and that can make you yawn. Also, hold your breath and pinch your nose shut and drink massive amounts of water - this helps unblock them.

The more I've flown the less I have a problem with my ears staying blocked for more than overnight. When I flew Emirates from the UK to J'burg South Africa via Dubai last year I barely noticed the plane was descending on either of these flights. No pain, no crackling, no blockage. This has never happened to me before or since. Wish I knew why, it was so nice to arrive in a country being able to hear! Adding: however, on the way back home I had the usual problems with pain and blockage.

[Rcm58]

This will releive the pressure before it builds to much: Divers are taught to block their nasal passages and blow, this will blow out your ears and releive the pressure.

[annielf]

Originally Posted by Rcm58

This will releive the pressure before it builds to much: Divers are taught to block their nasal passages and blow, this will blow out your ears and releive the pressure.

I've tried that and it works for many people, but makes no difference whatsoever for me.

[TheImportersWife]

My husband is a frequent traveler and uses nose spray. He's found that it helps relieve the pressure. He once blew out his ears on a trip to China. He was told he would have to have tubes put in his ears or not travel for over 2 months. He opted for the latter. Ever since then, he's carried nose spray with him.

[eggalegga]

Originally Posted by TheImportersWife

My husband is a frequent traveler and uses nose spray. He's found that it helps relieve the pressure. He once blew out his ears on a trip to China. He was told he would have to have tubes put in his ears or not travel for over 2 months. He opted for the latter. Ever since then, he's carried nose spray with him.

A nasal decongestant spray? I wouldn't have thought of that. I've tried the gum and the ear plugs but not the spray.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Did you do the thing where you take a drink of water, place it over nose/mouth, then do the diver's trick?
It worked for my (adult) son.