Sudden hearing loss a few days after flying (pain, infections, congestion)

[Natsku]

Flew on Friday evening, normal pain when descending and did all the things to help my ears pop as usual. Small twinges of pain in the left ear since then but yesterday it turned into quite bad earache and in the night I got sharp pains in my left ear whenever I moved my head and when I woke up this morning I found I can't hear much in my left ear and there's a dull ache.

As I'm sure its caused by the flying and not anything else, will it just get better in time by itself? I figure it must be caused by congestion as the ear feels very 'full' and fuzzy so I've taken a decongestant and I'm waiting to see if it works now.

[Restrain]

Try holding your nose and mouth closed, blowing hard to open the tube between your throat and ear. Also a decongestant. If it doesn't clear up, go see an ear doctor.

I have lost half the hearing in one ear due to an ear disease. Don't mess around with it.

[Natsku]

Tried doing that and it didn't help, neither did the decongestant. But my hearing has improved slightly in the last hour, after it first got worse, so I'm going to wait and see how tomorrow goes (as its a public holiday so can't really call the doctor tomorrow)

[cb at sea]

Go to the doctor....quit holding your nose and blowing...you're making it worse!


I've gotten ear infections from my ears clogging while flying!

In the future, take sudafed PRIOR to any flights!!!!! It really helps!

[Natsku]

Hearing came back this morning, bit of pain still but mild compared to before. Seems its getting better. Thanks for the tip about taking sudafed beforehand next time. My OH and my kid both used waxy earplugs and their ears were fine, I should have done that too.