Is It Normal To Have Ear Pains While Flying?

Airplane Ear is a common side effect of frequent air travelers. Many experience intense pain and discomfort while in flight.

Have you or do you know someone who has suffered from ear pains while flying in a plane? Many business travelers suffer on a flight per flight basis. This is called Airplane Ear and many frequent flyers suffer from this condition. Airplane Ear is caused when the pressure between the air outside of ear and in the middle ear become unequal.
Rafi, who is a diamond salesman, travels very frequently because his job requires him to be in different places around the world.

Every time Rafi flies, he experiences intense pain in both of his ears. For the longest time, he was unable to diagnose his symptoms. He was not the only person suffering from these pains, a few of his coworkers were suffering as well. Not only were his coworkers suffering from ear pain, but they were also suffering from muffled hearing and stiffness in their ears. After further research, they were able to diagnose their symptoms as being directly related to Airplane Ear.

How do you prevent Airplane Ear?

There are two easy ways to prevent ear pain while in flight. The first solution is to drink an alcoholic beverage during the flight. 1 to 2 drinks are recommended, not 10! We don’t want any disturbances on the plane. Drinking an alcohol in the beverages causes the mucous membranes and the eustachia tubes to swell. This prevents the lower pressured air from getting trapped in the middle ear. The second way to prevent Airplane Ears is to avoid flying if you have bad allergies or are suffering from cold symptoms.

The second option is much more difficult to avoid because it’s quite tough to cancel a trip for just a common cold! If you find yourself traveling with the common cold, and you start to get ear pains mid-flight, try sucking on a piece of candy, yawning, using ear plugs, and make sure that you are awake while the plane descends.

Summary

Airplane Ears is not life-threatening, but it can turn an already stressful flight into an unbearable flight that will never seem to end. Next time you or your friend is traveling, remember there’s multiple ways to prevent ear pain while you’re flying! Besides, it’s a great excuse to have a drink!