Ear pain during flight... (and ear plugs designed for this)

[aircooled]

I usually experience severe ear pain during flight. Chewing gum doesn't work, decongestants don't work. I've tried all the tricks. I've actually had my ears bleed from flying.

I've heard there are some earplugs made especially for this (some call them air-plugs).
My question. Do these work? have you tried them?

I have to fly cross country this year and would like it to be a pain-free flight.

 

[Viper GTS]

http://www.lifewithease.com/earplane.html

I suppose it might help... I think I'd be more worried about why your ears aren't adjusting as they should.

I flew ~10K miles in the last month, it hurt a little the first time (hadn't flown in quite a while) but after that I was fine.

Viper GTS

 

[Czesia]

I'd be skeptical about the earplugs...

On another note, I have the same problem with my ears. While it does not solve the problem entirely, it may at least ease the discomfort: try to use a combination of extra-strength sudafed with otrivin, and make a point of trying to make your ears pop while you're flying. Some people always experience discomfort while flying, so do whatever you can to make it a bit easier. Good luck !

 

[aircooled]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
http://www.lifewithease.com/earplane.html

I suppose it might help... I think I'd be more worried about why your ears aren't adjusting as they should.

I flew ~10K miles in the last month, it hurt a little the first time (hadn't flown in quite a while) but after that I was fine.

Viper GTS

Thanks for the link.
I've been to several doctors, they all say my inner ears look fine. My daughter also suffers from this and many people do. Basically it's like driving up a mountain and your ears 'pop', well mine don't pop the pressure keeps building untill the pain is un-bearable.
I hope using earplugs meant for this condition will actually work.

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

I don't think ear plugs are going to do you much good. I never found gum helped either so I just force myself to yawn constantly to "crack" my hears...that always seems to help me. Then again, I have never had much trouble....I flew once with a bad head cold and thought my head was going to explode....

 

[Amused]

Go to the doctor and get ear tubes put in. You can't put your head under water, but all your pain will go away.

Also, have your adenoids checked. Ears that wont equalize are a sign of swolen adenoids. I had that same problem along with frequent ear infections until I had my tonsils and adenoids removed.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: aircooled

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
http://www.lifewithease.com/earplane.html

I suppose it might help... I think I'd be more worried about why your ears aren't adjusting as they should.

I flew ~10K miles in the last month, it hurt a little the first time (hadn't flown in quite a while) but after that I was fine.

Viper GTS

Thanks for the link.
I've been to several doctors, they all say my inner ears look fine. My daughter also suffers from this and many people do. Basically it's like driving up a mountain and your ears 'pop', well mine don't pop the pressure keeps building untill the pain is un-bearable.
I hope using earplugs meant for this condition will actually work.

I know the feeling, I've flown with a cold before & it is quite painful until it finally equalizes.

I would think that completely separating the disparate pressures would be more effective, a regulating plug like the ones I found would (seemingly) only delay the problem.

Viper GTS

 

[h8red]

I would also recommend the ear-planes ear plugs. I've never used them but someone at work swears by them for her little ones. They come in adult and children sizes and you should be able to get them at your local pharmacy. Hope that helps

 

[Czesia]

Originally posted by: Amused
Go to the doctor and get ear tubes put in. You can't put your head under water, but all your pain will go away.

Also, have your adenoids checked. Ears that wont equalize are a sign of swolen adenoids. I had that same problem along with frequent ear infections until I had my tonsils and adenoids removed.

I've had tonsils and adenoids removed and ear tubes put in, and I still have problems with flying. I'm not convinced that it would help in this situation. Besides, there can be major complications involved in having tubes inserted. Not worth it unless it's totally necessary.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Czesia

Originally posted by: Amused
Go to the doctor and get ear tubes put in. You can't put your head under water, but all your pain will go away.

Also, have your adenoids checked. Ears that wont equalize are a sign of swolen adenoids. I had that same problem along with frequent ear infections until I had my tonsils and adenoids removed.

I've had tonsils and adenoids removed and ear tubes put in, and I still have problems with flying. I'm not convinced that it would help in this situation. Besides, there can be major complications involved in having tubes inserted. Not worth it unless it's totally necessary.

If you had ear pain with tubes, your tubes were blocked. The doctor has drops you can use to unblock your tubes. In no way should you feel ANY pain due to pressure changes if you have functional tubes in your ears. It would be like trying to blow up a balloon with a hole in it... the pressure just can't build up.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: MrsSkoorb
I flew once with a bad head cold and thought my head was going to explode....

It's been for me off and on for the past few years. Almost every flight I've been on it feels like my sinuses are presurized or something and that they are going to explode. God, flying over the ocean was one of the worst experiences of my life.

 

[Joker81]

if you get ear plugs you cannot probably take them out at all. Or you will be going from the pressure on the ground to the 5000 feet(typical pressure in an airplane cabin).

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Joker81
if you get ear plugs you cannot probably take them out at all. Or you will be going from the pressure on the ground to the 5000 feet(typical pressure in an airplane cabin).

I thought the average pressure was 8000 feet?

 

[gsellis]

This may seem strange, and since you do not mention it, I thought I would post it. Find a scuba diver or a dive shop and have them show you how to use the nose pinch technique to equalize your pressure.

Normally, going up, your ears would bleed off that higher pressure in your ears because the flap that covers the tube swings out. Yours sounds different. When you "saw a doctor", was it an Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat specialist? If not, get a recommendation/referral from your doc and go there. Considering what you have said, I would probably see a specialist before trying the dive shop.

 

[Leejai]

if my ears get clogged, i chew gum. it'll pop after a couple of min.

 

[aircooled]

Originally posted by: Leejai
if my ears get clogged, i chew gum. it'll pop after a couple of min.

I wish that worked for me.