Flying and Ear Problems

In our office, we often see patients who have ear problems who are planning to fly. Here are a few facts to consider.

1) IF you can pop your ears easily, there shouldn't be a problem with flying.
2) IF you have a hole or a tube in your eardrum, there shouldn't be a problem with flying.
3) IF you have problems popping your ears and your flight is not for a few weeks to months, read this webpage and follow the suggestions mentioned.
4) IF you are going to fly soon (within 1 week) and have trouble popping your ears, contact your local ENT to get a tube placed in your eardrum. Why? Your middle ear is like a balloon and with pressure changes, the eardrum stretches out and causes excruciating ear pain known as ear squeeze. A tube in your ear is just like putting a hole in a balloon. Just like pressure can't build up in a balloon with a hole, pressure can't build up in your ears with a tube.

An easy way you can predict if you are going to have problems with your ears when flying is to go swimming into the deep end of the pool (>5 feet). If you are able to pop your ears as you swim deeper into a swimming pool, you generally shouldn't have any problems flying.

Spraying Afrin into your nose 30 min before ascent and descent will help with ear popping and may be something you may want to bring with you when flying to prevent problems. Do NOT use afrin daily for more than 3 days otherwise one may become addicted to it... a rebound phenomenon known as rhinnitis medicamentosa.

Listed below are some products that may be helpful to get your ears popping: