Advice needed: ears and flying

[WorkInProgress]

I've never had this problem before, but the last time I flew, affected by congestion lingering from earlier bronchitis, I could feel my ears being affected, and they're still not quite the same now. I have to fly again next week and then the week after as well. I'm afraid my hearing is going to get damaged if the pressure on my ears keeps getting compounded by successive flights. What are the tricks for keeping one's ears from getting messed up by the altitude changes in flying?

 

[FrenzyTickles]

Chewing gum. Maybe the motion of jaw "Pops" the pressure. Not sure if it's ear-doctor recommended, there may be better solutions, but it seems to work.


If your ears are still affected though that might suggest a bigger problem.

 

[LD_Tickler]

Chewing gum is helpful because the juices involved encourage you to swallow - and that can release the pressure.

 

[Artoo]

What they all said. I've had this problem since I was about 3 (the first time I remember flying) - chewing gum lessens the effects and allows you to relieve the pressure gradually.

 

[Libertine]

Force yourself to yawn periodically. This also works very well, though not as well as a 'natural' yawn.

 

[WorkInProgress]

Thanks, everyone, I will indeed make good use of all of this.

 

[rhiannon]

Ear doctors recommend nasal spray which keeps your nose and therefore the ears clear. Careful though, the stuff can be addicting.

 

[Bugman]

You might look into these WIP.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CD4Q8wIwAw#

I've never tried them.

 

[Soda Bobinski]

What are the tricks for keeping one's ears from getting messed up by the altitude changes in flying?

A feather in your nose & a rodent in your hat should do the trick.

Good luck to ya!

 

[BrightEyes1082]

I had the same thing happen to me. I had a cold and had
the most severe ear pain on the 2nd leg of my flight. I was
literally doubled over on the seat in tears (this coming from
a serious masochist 😉 ). My ear was still not right 2 days later
when I had to fly home, and I just chewed gum and yawned
until I landed. It was horrible, but the return wasn't as bad.
And anything you can do to decongest yourself will only help.

 

[paracarl44]

Along with gum, earplugs work.

 

[darkscar]

I got one good thing that works for me.... Keeping My Feet on the ground as god intended

 

[love feet]

Cup headphone's thay cup around the eires.