During airplane flights the ears are subjected to changes in air pressure. The middle ear is connected with the upper part of the throat by the Eustachian tube. Its job is to equalize air pressure in the middle ear.
People often have more problems during landing. If the Eustachian tube is blocked from cold or allergies the eardrum will be stretched inward, impairing hearing and causing pain during descent. If you can't clear your ears on the ground, you should not fly. But if you have to fly, or find yourself with ear pain once airborne, there are some things you can do.
Tips for dealing with Ear Ache:
• Try yawning or swallowing to open the Eustachian tube.
• Try chewing gum.
• With a doctor's approval, adults can take a decongestant and/or nasal spray.
• You might try earplug-like devices called Ear planes which help regulate air pressure naturally.
• Try the Valsalva maneuver: Hold your nose and blow out gently to equalize the pressure.
Young children's Eustachian tubes don't function as good as in adults. Use a pacifier or bottle for babies during takeoffs and landings. Older children won't suffer quite as much as long as they don't have a cold.
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