{"id":9508,"date":"2023-12-18T21:10:28","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T14:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9508"},"modified":"2023-12-18T21:10:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T14:10:28","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-airplane-ear-4-tricks-to-pop-ears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9508","title":{"rendered":"How To Get Rid of &#8216;Airplane Ear:&#8217; 4 Tricks To Pop Ears"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">T<\/span>here\u2019s so much to think about when you\u2019re flying these days, beyond just what you\u2019re packing (especially if you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-travel-with-carry-on-only\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-travel-with-carry-on-only\/\">going carry-on only<\/a>) and when you need to get to the airport. Traveling while being mindful about your health may look like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/travel-covid-flu-rsv-vaccines\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/travel-covid-flu-rsv-vaccines\/\">taking precautions to avoid the flu or COVID-19<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-stay-healthy-while-flying\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-stay-healthy-while-flying\/\">staying well-hydrated so you don\u2019t have gut issues<\/a> during your trip. What you may not typically consider when boarding a flight, however, is your ear health\u2026 at least until the plane lands, and you suddenly feel as plugged up as if you had a sinus infection. Enter: airplane ear.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\">\n<hr\/>\n<div class=\"experts-in-article noskim py-[24px] px-[40px]\">\n<p>Experts In This Article<\/p>\n<ul class=\"!ml-[18px]\">\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearingloss.org\/presenter_bios\/jenn-schumacher-au-d\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.hearingloss.org\/presenter_bios\/jenn-schumacher-au-d\/\">Jenn Schumacher, AuD<\/a>, audiologist and manager of medical communications at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gn.com\/about\/gn-group\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.gn.com\/about\/gn-group\">GN Hearing<\/a> <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/researchers.evms.edu\/display\/person-joseph-han\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/researchers.evms.edu\/display\/person-joseph-han\">Joseph K. Han, MD<\/a>, otolaryngologist, and chief of the division of rhinology and endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery, and the division of allergy at Eastern Virginia Medical School <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<hr\/><\/div>\n<p>While flying, some people just feel a momentary pop in their ears when the plane takes off or starts to descend. But for others, the sensation of \u201cairplane ear\u201d can last for a while after a flight, causing a disruption in hearing and both ear and sinus pain or discomfort.<\/p>\n<p>There are all kinds of tricks out there for how to get rid of airplane ear if it seems like your ears just won\u2019t pop (chewing gum is a trusty standby), but when it comes to your ear health, you don\u2019t want to try just <em>anything<\/em>. Below, medical experts specializing in ear and sinus health share recommendations you can trust on how to pop your ears safely, without risking damage to the inside of your ears or eardrums. Read on before you hop on your next flight.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-get-rid-airplane-ear\/\" current-title=\"4 Tricks for Getting Your Ears To Pop in Seconds the Next Time You\u2019re Dealing With \u2018Airplane Ear\u2019\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/SDI-productions-425x285_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-06-18\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-get-rid-airplane-ear\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-get-rid-airplane-ear\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-get-rid-airplane-ear\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>First off: What exactly is airplane ear?<\/h2>\n<p>Essentially, airplane ear feels like pressure, clogging, and\/or pain inside the ear during or after a flight, and it could even result in temporary hearing loss, says audiologist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearingloss.org\/presenter_bios\/jenn-schumacher-au-d\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.hearingloss.org\/presenter_bios\/jenn-schumacher-au-d\/\">Jenn Schumacher, AuD<\/a>, manager of audiology communications at medical technology company <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gn.com\/about\/gn-group\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.gn.com\/about\/gn-group\">GN Hearing<\/a>. You may feel this sensation while flying because of the shifts in altitude, and therefore, in air pressure: The air pressure in the middle ear is different from that in the environment around you, says Dr. Schumacher.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Airplane ear occurs when the air pressure in the middle ear is different from that in the environment around you.&#8221; \u2014Jenn Schumacher, AuD, audiologist<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>What\u2019s actually happening inside your ear is Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), says otolaryngologist <a href=\"https:\/\/researchers.evms.edu\/display\/person-joseph-han\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/researchers.evms.edu\/display\/person-joseph-han\">Joseph K. Han, MD<\/a>, chief of the division of rhinology and endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery, and the division of allergy at Eastern Virginia Medical School.<\/p>\n<p>The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the sinuses and throat, helping regulate pressure in the middle ear and drain fluid. While it\u2019s possible to experience <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/conditions-and-diseases\/eustachian-tube-dysfunction#:~:text=Obstructive%20eustachian%20tube%20dysfunction%20can,cold%20or%20when%20SCUBA%20diving.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/conditions-and-diseases\/eustachian-tube-dysfunction#:~:text=Obstructive%20eustachian%20tube%20dysfunction%20can,cold%20or%20when%20SCUBA%20diving.\">long-term eustachian tube dysfunction<\/a> (aka a blockage of the tubes or a failure of them to open properly) if you have chronic allergies or acid reflux, temporary Eustachian tube dysfunction can occur just as a result of changes in air pressure\u2014as with, yes, flying or scuba diving. If you have ETD already, flying can also exacerbate the feeling of fullness and clogging in your ears, adds Dr. Han.<\/p>\n<p>While air pressure change is inevitable while flying, you <em>can<\/em> minimize the potential effects on your ears by wearing special ear plugs called <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgoto.target.com%2Fc%2F2372336%2F81938%2F2092%3FsubId1%3DSTMSHL-1143371%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.target.com%252Fp%252Fearplanes-aep-earplugs-1-pair%252F-%252FA-75002868%253F&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhow-to-get-rid-airplane-ear%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.target.com\/p\/earplanes-aep-earplugs-1-pair\/-\/A-75002868?\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/goto.target.com\/c\/2372336\/81938\/2092?subId1=STMSHL-1143371&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fp%2Fearplanes-aep-earplugs-1-pair%2F-%2FA-75002868%3F\">Earplanes<\/a>, which \u201cwork by slowing down changes in air pressure inside your ear canal,\u201d says Dr. Schumacher. \u201cThis gives your Eustachian tubes a chance to equalize the pressure inside the ear on their own.\u201d The result? Less discomfort and pain and less of a need for popping.<\/p>\n<h2>How long does airplane ear last?<\/h2>\n<p>In the best-case scenario, airplane ear resolves a few minutes after landing, when your ears pop and the pressure in your middle ear equalizes to that of your environment. But sometimes, the annoying symptoms of it can last for a few days afterward, or longer, particularly if you have preexisting hearing or ear issues. \u201cFor a person who already has hearing loss, their hearing can worsen until airplane ear resolves, because the eardrum is unable to vibrate correctly with the mismatched air pressure inside the middle ear,\u201d says Dr. Schumacher.<\/p>\n<p>To clarify, hearing loss is not the same thing as Eustachian tube dysfunction, but chronic hearing loss can become worse with ETD, and ETD, like you might get on a plane, can cause some hearing loss for a couple of days. \u201cWhile the \u2018added\u2019 hearing loss is temporary, it can make communication much more difficult or stressful, on top of the physical discomfort you may already be experiencing from airplane ear,\u201d says Dr. Schumacher. That said, ETD-related hearing loss should resolve itself when the rest of the symptoms resolve, says Dr. Han.<\/p>\n<h2>4 ways to get your ears to pop while on or after getting off a flight<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Try a pinched-nose Valsalva maneuver<\/h3>\n<p>One five-second way to pop your ears involves holding your nose, sealing your lips, and attempting to push air outward, says Dr. Han. The goal of this technique, called the Valsalva maneuver, is to get your Eustachian tubes to open up and initiate a pop. Ideally, your ears will feel as if they\u2019ve become unclogged and your hearing will get clearer after that pop.<\/p>\n<p>Just note that if your ears don\u2019t pop within a few seconds, it\u2019s best to release your nose and stop the maneuver, says Dr. Schumacher. (Too much force or pushing with this maneuver could cause eardrum damage.)<\/p>\n<h3>2. Give the Toynbee maneuver a shot<\/h3>\n<p>If the Valsalva maneuver doesn\u2019t get your ears to pop, you can try another similar method: the Toynbee maneuver. All you do is close your mouth, pinch your nose, and work on swallowing repeatedly, says Dr. Schumacher. The continued swallows might be the most effective way to get your ears to pop, she says.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Chew on something<\/h3>\n<p>The age-old suggestion of chewing gum during takeoff and landing can actually help you prevent <em>or <\/em>get rid of airplane ear. Dr. Schumacher recommends chewing gum, a snack, or a hard candy, or even drinking something to allow the Eustachian tubes to open up and equalize the air pressure in your middle ears.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Stay awake during the landing, but try yawning<\/h3>\n<p>Even if you plan to snooze the whole flight, set an alarm for right around the landing time so you\u2019re awake to try a few techniques for popping your ears. After all, the landing is a key trigger of airplane ear: \u201cThe problem usually occurs more when the plane is descending, and not ascending, because of the increase in air pressure in the cabin during the descent,\u201d explains Dr. Han. He suggests doing a few yawns (perfect if you\u2019ve been napping) to get the Eustachian tubes to open back up and relieve any pain or clogged sensation.<\/p>\n<h2>What to do if you can\u2019t get rid of airplane ear<\/h2>\n<p>It might be more difficult to get rid of airplane ear if you already have certain ear conditions, including Eustachian tube dysfunction. \u201cTypically, airplane ear will linger in people who have chronic problems with one or both Eustachian tubes not opening properly, which can lead to similar symptoms as airplane ear even without flying,\u201d says Dr. Schumacher. It\u2019s also possible to have other ear-related issues like dizziness or vertigo with more severe cases of airplane ear, she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Han notes that if the symptoms of your airplane ear persist for a week (or longer) after your flight, you should see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor for an evaluation. Same goes if you have significant ear pain or other symptoms like dizziness, says Dr. Schumacher. An ENT doctor can assess whether some other underlying ear problem might be to blame and help you find relief. But hopefully, your airplane ear will resolve itself\u2014or you\u2019ll be able to get rid of it with one of the simple tricks above\u2014before you even touch down at your destination.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimers__after_content mb-[18px] mt-[16px] pt-[16px]\">\n<div class=\"outline-earmark relative mt-[8px] pt-[10px] pl-[20px]\">\n<p>\n            Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s so much to think about when you\u2019re flying these days, beyond just what you\u2019re packing (especially if you\u2019re going carry-on only) and when you need to get to the airport. Traveling while being mindful about your health may look like taking precautions to avoid the flu or COVID-19 or staying well-hydrated so you don\u2019t &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9508"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9508\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}