Why do ears hurt on an airplane and how to prevent it?

¿Who has not ever felt stuffy ears or even pain during a flight? This discomfort, common in air travel, is known as barotraumatic otalgia and is caused by sudden changes in cabin pressure, especially during takeoff and landing.

When the air pressure changes rapidly, the middle ear needs to balance with the outside through the Eustachian tube. If the eustachian tube does not open properly, which is common in cases of colds, nasal congestion or allergies, there is a sensation of stuffiness, ringing and even sharp pain. In more severe cases, it can lead to wheezing or small lesions in the nose.

From Aural Centros Auditivos, experts share five simple recommendations to take care of your hearing during a flight:

•              Breathe, swallow or chew gum during takeoff and landing. These actions help open the Eustachian tube and balance the pressure in the middle ear.

•               Avoid flying with nasal congestion or a cold.If this is not possible, use a nasal decongestant before the flight to facilitate ventilation of the ear.

•             Keep hydrated and avoid sleeping during descent, when pressure changes are more intense.

•             Use progressive pressure aviación plugs. They are reusable and help pressure changes occur more gradually.

“Otalgia is not usually serious, but if discomfort persists after the flight or if there is a history of ear infections, it is advisable to go for an audiological check-up, say the experts at Aural.

?What happens if you wear hearing aids?

Hearing aid wearers can fly without problems, however, Aural experts recommend:

•                  Keep the audífonos on during the flight, except for medical indication or specific discomfort.

•                Carry spare batteries or chargers, as changes in temperature and pressure may affect autonomy.