Question

I’m going away for 4 days 3 nights in may. Every time I fly (mainly coming in to land) my ears feel like they’re going to explode. I’m literally sat there with my fingers in my ears crying. Is there anything you can get prescribed by a doctor to stop this? Sucking sweets is a waste of time, I can’t hear properly for about 3 days after so I don’t want the whole holiday ruined by my ears  

Answer 1

In sure if you speak with a pharmacist they can give you something but that was a good couple of years ago now but might be worth popping to your local. X

Answer 2

You can buy ear plugs that balance out the change of air pressure inside your ear. I swear by them xx

Answer 3

I have had this loads then end up with vertigo for months afterwards . Your sinus tubes are blocked - so before I go I buy 2 to 3 packets of decongestant tablets from chemist - £6 in all - and start taking a week before I go , while I’m away and especially the day before I fly . Job done !  

Comments

Same for me, decongestant a week prior and i also put some cotton wool in my ears and chew gum.  

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@alabaster lots of hard boiled sweets on the plane !  

Answer 4

Get some of the ear plugs, boots do them, hope they help x

Comments

This is what my daughter uses x

Answer 5

Gulp great big gulps help

Answer 6

I'd suggest using decongestant tablets, ask for a water from the crew, hot preferably but cold is also okay (but you don't need a lot so you'll have to drink some first) and dissolve some crystals into the water and sniff them whilst descending (20 mins before landing), otherwise olbas oil needs no dissolving because you an just put it on fabric or tissue etc to sniff, but it isn't as hardcore as menthol crystals. I'd also recommend, ear plugs made for assisting with air pressure.  

Answer 7

I had this. Then I did a diving course and same thing happened then I learnt to equalise my ear just hold your nose and gently blow. No good doing it once the pain starts. I have to start doing as soon as I'm on the plane. Every 15 mins or so. stops it building up. Then once we start to descend I have to do it every minute and now I'm fine with it x

Comments

@mg891 yes that is what I do.  

Answer 8

It will be blocked sinuses causing it, I actually cried on the plane once because of the pain at one side of my head, I thought it was going to explode, try a nasal spray a week or so before you fly and try and yawn as much as you possibly can as it should help with popping your ears

Answer 9

You can get special ear plugs my mum has the same thing and it will affect her for all of her hol, her friend got her a pair and now she uses them every time she flies she swears by them x

Answer 10

I use a nose inhaler. Just before the plain starts to lower I have a good sniff. It clears my head and really helps my ears.  

Answer 11

Making myself yawn works for me.  

Answer 12

Yawn - I find this helps and was advised by a doctor it doesn't put pressure on your ear drums that holding your nose does. Always works for me.  

Answer 13

I get that but only when I fly to Europe. So strange but no idea what helps.  

Answer 14

This happens to me any time I fly, one stewardess told me to keep my mouth open while landing (think she explained abt air pressure and how this wld make a difference) Tried it on flight home and it worked bt unfortunately haven't been on another flight to test again. Hope you find a solution that works for you x

Answer 15

Defo your sinuses! I’ve suffered in the past too, now I take a couple of sudofed or sinutab 20-30 minutes before take off and also suck on a strong sweet like fisherman’s friend etc to open up the airways. Never suffered since doing this

Answer 16

Thank you everyone, I think I’ll be doing every one of your suggestions just to make sure  

Answer 17

I have tried all this the special earplugs sweets sudafed and none of it has worked for me  head always feels like its goin explode  

Comments

@selfregulated me too although I havnt tried the decongestant. I'm flying to Thailand (hopefully lol) 2nd April so will give them a try

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@mateo8 the pain is awful just wish there was something that helped. Enjoy ur holiday hope u get something that works for you   

Answer 18

Flexible ear plugs work for me. I put them in before we set off and left them in until we landed. I've always suffered with my ears and I was sooooo happy that they worked x

Answer 19

I have suffered with this for years. Excruciating pain that has me in tears. about 2 years ago a doctor told me it was to do with congestion in my ears and hey presto I am cured! I take decongestants three days before and I have no issues!  

Answer 20

I find mine really hurt on short flights but longer ones (higher altitude) they don't hurt at all! Defo going to try the congestion remedy suggestions however  

Answer 21

Sucknon a mint when landing

Answer 22

Same thing happens to me. it really hurts and then for days I feel like I have water in them and a bit deaf x

Answer 23

Blow your nose frequently

Answer 24

Special earplugs (ear planes) Amazon or boots sell them

Answer 25

Hold your nose and blow out of it to make them pop