AAAAAAGH !!! MY EARS!!!

[SoundHound]

Anyone got a cure for pressurized "airplane" ears?
I've taken 5 trips in the past week and a half, all with connecting flights, so that's like 20 times of being pressurized/depressurized. Normally, I take a mild decongestant before the flight, but didn't have any on my first leg, and by the time I got some, it was too late. My ears didn't have a chance to return to normal before my next trip, so each one thereafter has just compounded the problem.
I'm making an appointment with the audiologist today, but would love to "hear" any remedies/preventive tips from you guys.

Thanks,

[DesertDude]

Benny Hill held his fingers in his ears,m while his girlfriend poured a glass of water in his mouth, while he sang "tootle ootle ooh" ...seemed to work for him

[webeinstein]

Are you familiar with how scuba divers equalize the ear pressure? Anyway, you do have to be very careful with this technique.

If yawning and swallowing are not effective, unblock your ears as follows:

Step 1: Pinch your nostrils shut.
Step 2: Take a mouthful of air.
Step 3: Using your cheek and throat muscles, force the air into the back of your nose as if you were trying to blow your thumb and fingers off your nostrils.

When you hear a loud pop in your ears, you have succeeded. You may have to repeat this several times during descent.

Again, be careful as if you blow too hard too quickly you may damage your eardrums.

Hope this helps.

[GuitarEasley]

*Most important of all, consult audioligist or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.*

Probally won't completely help you but here is some junk to try:

Try using a decongestant such as oxymetazoline nasal spray (Afrin, Dristan) or one containing pseudoephedrine (Actifed, Sudafed) an hour before takeoff and an hour before landing. This can help prevent blockage of your eustachian tube.(don't make a habit of this)

If you have allergies, take your medication before the flight.

Suck candy or chew gum during flight to encourage swallowing. Yawning also activates the muscles that open your eustachian tube.

Clear your ears regularly upon takeoff and landing by gently blowing while pinching your nostrils with your mouth closed (Valsalva maneuver). Repeat several times during descent to equalize the pressure between your ears and your environment. (be very gentle when you do this)

Avoid sleeping during descent to make sure you're swallowing enough to keep your ears clear.

If you've recently had ear surgery, consult your doctor before you fly.

Try filtered earplugs (EarPlanes), which slowly equalize the pressure against your eardrum during takeoff and landing. These may be purchased at drugstores, airport gift shops or your local hearing clinic.

find a delicate plumber with small hands and a miniture plunger

Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, because they constrict your blood vessels.


Good luck my cloggy-eared friend,

GuitarEasley

[quadwould]

i had a similar problem. my specialist said that when my ears depressurized, some wax from wayy up in there, got lodged in some funny way....

after that, my hearing was all wacky...

so i was prescribed ear drops to loosen the wax. and that helped.
She said that if i run out.. and cant get refill.. dont worry... olive oil works great... use a little dropper.

Dont use q-tips!!!! those can cause serious damage.