What Is Aeroplane Ear?
Have you ever experienced discomfort or pressure in your ears during a flight? This common issue, often called aeroplane ear, can affect anyone but is particularly noticeable during takeoff and landing. Understanding what aeroplane ear is and how it occurs can help you take steps to prevent it, making your flying experience more comfortable.
Aeroplane ear, also known as ear barotrauma, is a temporary condition that occurs when there is a rapid change in altitude and air pressure. An imbalance between the air pressure in the middle ear and the external environment can cause the eardrum to stretch inward or outward, resulting in discomfort, pain, or temporary hearing loss. The good news is that it’s usually short-lived and resolves once the pressure equalises.
Why Are Children More Susceptible?
Infants and young children are often more at risk for aeroplane ear because their Eustachian tubes are narrower and less efficient than those of adults. This anatomical difference makes it more challenging to equalise ear pressure during rapid altitude changes. Additionally, children are more prone to upper respiratory infections and allergies, which can further impair Eustachian tube function.
Understanding the mechanics behind aeroplane ear can help you take proactive measures to prevent it, ensuring a more pleasant flight for you and your fellow travellers.
What Causes Aeroplane Ear?
Aeroplane ear is caused by a sudden imbalance between the air pressure in the middle ear and the external environment. This imbalance occurs during rapid altitude changes, such as during an aeroplane’s take-off and landing phases. Similarly, barotrauma can also affect individuals during activities like scuba diving or free diving, where rapid pressure changes underwater can lead to ear discomfort or injury due to unequal pressure levels.
Under normal circumstances, the Eustachian tube—a narrow passage connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat—helps equalise ear pressure by allowing air to flow in and out of the middle ear. When the Eustachian tube functions properly, swallowing or yawning opens it briefly, enabling the pressure to equalise smoothly.
However, during rapid altitude changes, the Eustachian tube may not react quickly enough to equalise the pressure difference. This delay causes a vacuum in the middle ear, pulling the eardrum inward or pushing it outward, depending on whether the external pressure is decreasing or increasing. The stretching of the eardrum and the associated structures leads to the sensations of fullness, discomfort, or pain known as aeroplane ear.
The primary cause of aeroplane ear is the inability of the Eustachian tube to equalise pressure promptly during sudden altitude changes. Factors that hinder the Eustachian tube’s function, such as nasal congestion or inflammation, can exacerbate this, but the core mechanism involves the physical effects of unequal air pressure on the ear structures during flight.
Symptoms of Aeroplane Ear
Aeroplane ear can occur in one or both ears. Mild signs and symptoms may include:
- moderate to severe discomfort or pain in your ear
- a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear
- muffled hearing or slight to moderate hearing loss
Usually, self-care steps such as yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum can prevent aeroplane ear, correct the differences in air pressure, and improve mild symptoms.
If aeroplane ear is severe or lasts more than a few hours, you may experience:
- severe pain in your ear
- pressure in your ear similar to being underwater
- moderate to severe hearing loss
- ringing in your ear (tinnitus)
- dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo)
- vomiting from vertigo
- bleeding from your ear due to a ruptured eardrum
When Should You Avoid Flying?
Do you have a cold that includes an active ear infection or a blocked nose to the point where you can’t breathe through it?
These issues might be severe enough to compromise the ability of your Eustachian tube to regulate air pressure. Eustachian tube dysfunction could lead to ear pain or the ears filling with fluid or blood, and in extreme cases, your eardrum can rupture.
Be honest in your self-assessment and listen to your body. That flight might be worth delaying to avoid the risk of some quite severe and painful outcomes.
Please ensure you have travel insurance and check that it covers such circumstances to avoid being forced to make a difficult decision.
7 Things You Can Do to Avoid Aeroplane Ear
Here are some tips on how to avoid or alleviate the symptoms of aeroplane ear.
1. Chew and Swallow
Anything that encourages chewing and swallowing will help you equalise the air pressure inside and outside your ears. Chewing gum or sucking on lozenges during take-off and landing are good options.
2. Valsalva Manoeuvre
When chewing and swallowing are ineffective at equalising the pressure in your ears, you might like to try the Valsalva manoeuvre.
This manoeuvre is done by exhaling against your closed airway. You do this by closing your mouth and pinching your nose shut while gently trying to push air out of your ears.
3. Blow Your Nose
Blow your nose gently before your flight and during takeoff and landing. As well as equalising your ear pressure, gently blowing your nose increases your self-awareness of how your ears, nose and sinus feel.
4. Use Nasal Spray
Use non-medicated saline nasal spray the day before your flight and before take-off and landing.
Using a nasal spray thins and clears excess nasal mucus, keeps nasal passages moist and washes away dust and allergens.
Please be aware you may need to apply nasal spray over a sink as it can get a little messy, especially if you have a build-up of nasal mucus. Have a practice before you are seated on the aircraft.
5. Wear Ear Plugs for Flying
Specially designed earplugs slow down the rate of pressure change in the ear.
They are supposed to alleviate the symptoms of aeroplane ear when the cabin pressure changes rapidly during take-off and landing.
6. Avoid Sleeping During Take-Off and Landing
Some of us can’t help but nod off during a flight. But you should avoid dozing during take-off and landing as you might not react in time to equalise your ear pressure.
7. Feed Babies and Small Children
Feed babies and small children during take-off and landing to encourage chewing and swallowing, equalising their ears.
Final Thoughts
Aeroplane ear, or ear barotrauma, is a common issue during flights caused by rapid air pressure changes that the Eustachian tube can’t equalize quickly enough. This can lead to discomfort, pain, pressure, and hearing loss.
To prevent or alleviate these symptoms, it’s helpful to chew or swallow during take-off and landing, perform the Valsalva manoeuvre, blow your nose gently, use a saline nasal spray, wear specially designed earplugs, stay awake during ascent and descent, and encourage children to eat or drink at these times.
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms or have conditions like a cold or ear infection, it might be wise to postpone flying. Always listen to your body and consider seeking medical advice to avoid potential complications.
