Where ya sittin on that plane?

[Dis703]

I have major ear issues with flying. Many times I've flown and my ear has been plugged for over a month after landing due to it. Nothing doctors can do (trust me, Ive been to specialists.) One of my ears (the problematic one) has a very tiny Eustachian tube which closes off easily with all the pressure changes.

What I have found to help is putting in earplanes before they close the cabin, and taking them off after we reach cruising altitude. Then put them in again before we descend and wait to take them out until after the cabin doors have been opened.

This has eliminated almost all of my issues. I love the damn things.

Wow, I've never had it last a month, but it definitely messes up my ears for a couple of weeks. It's awful. I used earplanes for a while but it really wasn't doing me any good. Still had awful pain and still had my ears feel clogged for days after the flight.

My most recent ENT said that if I fly a lot I could considering having tubes put in my ears. Same thing they do for kids who get frequent ear infections. I'm not sure I want to do it and I don't fly all that often, but it's really bothersome when I do.

 

[Nohal]

Sometimes I get pain on landing. This time into MCO I had severe pain in my ears. Coming home I didn't. I have found that the earphones from my iphone make all the difference. If I keep them in the entire flight I have no problems with my ears. Earplanes didn't work for me.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you know you have problems with your ears when flying take 1 sudafed before getting on the plane
(they sell it in airports too)
I always fly with some just in case but especially if any of our group has had a cold or flu recently

That is what my doctor has recommended too. After one late night flight I woke up with a horrible ringing in my ears that wouldn't go away. Had to order Sudafed thru Turner Drugs, as the gift shop didn't carry it. Worked like a charm! Now Sudafed is part of my normal packing.