"I’m planning a summer vacation and will be traveling on an airplane. The problem is, I feel a lot of pressure and even some pain in my ears, especially when the plane is taking off or landing. Do you have any suggestions?"
You’ve just identified the number one medical complaint among air travelers, airplane ear! For most people, the problem is a blocked-up sensation deep inside the ear. Sometimes, as you’ve experienced, there can also be ear pain after flying, as well as temporary hearing loss. Conditions such as the common cold, the flu, sinus infections, ear infections and allergies may exacerbate ear problems for the airplane passenger.
“Airplane ear,” as it’s commonly called, occurs when air pressure in the middle ear and external ear are out of sync, placing stress on your eardrum and other middle ear tissues. As you know, the problem is often worst when the airplane is taking off or descending.
A quick swallow or yawn will usually “pop” the ears and ease the airplane ear pressure discomfort. “Popping” is one of the most effect airplane ear treatments out there. If that’s not enough, here are some other airplane ear pain treatments for making air travel more pleasant for your ears:
Lastly, if you experience a severe case of “airplane ear,” please seek treatment from your physician.
Airplane ear can sometimes cause temporary hearing loss. However, if you think you suffer from permanent hearing loss, visit a Miracle-Ear location to schedule your free hearing test.
Airplane ear, also known as ear barotrauma or aerotitis media, is the discomfort, pain, or pressure you feel in your ears during or after a flight. It happens when there's an imbalance between the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure outside, typically during takeoff or landing.
Your ears have a small passage called the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of your nose and throat. This tube helps equalize pressure on both sides of your eardrum. But when you're flying, especially during rapid altitude changes, the pressure in the cabin changes faster than your Eustachian tube can adjust.
If the Eustachian tube is blocked—from a cold, allergies, or sinus congestion—air can't flow properly in or out of the middle ear. This causes the eardrum to stretch inward or outward, leading to a feeling of fullness, muffled hearing, discomfort, or even sharp pain.
In most cases, airplane ears are temporary and harmless, but in severe situations, it can lead to fluid buildup, dizziness, hearing loss, or a ruptured eardrum.
Simple actions like swallowing, yawning, or using decongestants before a flight can help prevent airplane ear and keep your ears feeling normal during air travel.
Young children often can’t perform pressure-relief maneuvers, so different approaches are needed.
If traditional methods haven’t relieved your in-flight ear pain, there’s one more trick you might want to try—shared by TikTok user Baby Griffin.
In a video that’s racked up with over 6 million views since early December 2024, she’s seen on a plane holding a paper cup over her ear. The on-screen text reads:
“When the flight attendant sees you struggling & saves you with a ‘hot cup,’ because you thought your eardrum was going to explode during descent.”
She credits the flight attendant for saving her from severe ear pain. “I owe that girl!” she wrote in the caption. Surprisingly, not all crew members know the trick: she says a flight attendant on a later flight had never heard of it, prompting her to share it with others.
In a follow-up video, Baby Griffin explains the process:
She recommends asking for a “hot cup” if you feel ear pain coming on—but keep in mind not all crew members may be familiar with the term, so be prepared to explain.
Though it’s trending on social media, the hot cup method isn’t new. Many medical professionals have long recommended it for ear pressure, whether on planes or on the ground.
The warm steam inside the cup helps relax the tissue around the ear and improves blood flow. This can make it easier for the Eustachian tubes to open, allowing trapped air and pressure to release—bringing fast, natural relief.
What to do when your ears hurt during flight? Here are 6 effective methods adults can use to relieve airplane ear, plus a few tips to help children manage it as well.
1. Swallowing
Swallowing activates muscles that help open the Eustachian tubes, equalizing pressure in the ears. It’s especially helpful for children, who may struggle to perform other pressure-relieving techniques.
2. Chewing Gum
Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy helps in two ways:
To do this, close your mouth and pinch your nose shut. Then gently blow air through your nose. The pressure created can help push air into the Eustachian tubes. Be careful - blowing too forcefully can damage your eardrum.
4. Toynbee Maneuver
Like the Valsalva maneuver, this involves closing your mouth and nose, but instead of blowing, you swallow. Drinking a mouthful of water can make it easier.
Often used by scuba divers, this technique closes the trachea and uses tongue pressure to push air into the Eustachian tubes. It’s effective for equalizing middle ear pressure. To do this, pinch your nose, close your throat as if you're lifting something heavy, and use the back of your tongue to push air upward—similar to making a “k” or “guh” sound without actually voicing it.
6. Yawning
Forceful yawning can help open the Eustachian tubes. Repeat several times until the pressure eases.
In addition to natural techniques, several over-the-counter tools can help relieve pressure in the ears during flights. Here are a few commonly used options:
Specially designed earplugs are available that help regulate ear pressure. Unlike standard earplugs, these allow controlled airflow between the ear and the surrounding environment. While scientific evidence on their effectiveness is limited, many travelers use them as a precaution. They’re affordable, safe, and pose no known risks.
This is a medical device used to open Eustachian tubes. To use it, insert the tip into one nostril and press the button to release a burst of air into the nasal cavity. This airflow helps force the Eustachian tube open, allowing trapped fluid and pressure to escape from the middle ear. It should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
This is a small, balloon-based device designed to open the Eustachian tubes. It has a nozzle on one end and an uninflated balloon on the other. To use it, place the nozzle in one nostril, block the other nostril with a finger, and blow to inflate the balloon. This creates pressure like the Valsalva maneuver, helping equalize ear pressure. It is especially helpful for children and individuals who struggle to perform pressure-equalizing techniques on their own.
If your ears are still aching after you land, you’re not alone. Eardrum pain from flying—often due to pressure imbalances—can linger long after descent. While techniques like yawning or chewing gum are well-known, here are some less commonly mentioned but effective ways to ease that discomfort:
1. Use Steam Inhalation
Inhale warm steam by taking a hot shower or using a bowl of steaming water with a towel over your head. The steam helps loosen mucus and encourages the Eustachian tubes to open naturally, relieving pressure and soothing pain.
2. Try Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
If the pain is sharp or throbbing, medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and discomfort. While these won’t fix the pressure imbalance, they can make the pain more manageable as your ears recover.
3. Limit Exposure to Loud Sounds
After a flight, your eardrums may be more sensitive. Avoid loud environments or listening to music with earbuds at high volume, as this can aggravate irritation and delay healing.
4. Avoid Rapid Altitude Changes
If possible, avoid hiking, diving, or driving through mountainous areas for a day or two after flying. This allows your ears time to normalize without experiencing additional pressure shifts.
5. Use Moist Heat, Not Just a Warm Compress
Apply a heated gel pack or a warm rice sock to the affected ear. Unlike a damp compress, these provide steady, penetrating heat that can help relieve inner ear pressure more effectively.
If symptoms worsen or don’t improve within 48 hours, consult a doctor to rule out infection or a ruptured eardrum.
Airplane ears occur when changes in cabin pressure during takeoff or landing cause discomfort or pain in the ears. While it usually resolves on its own, certain medications can help relieve symptoms, especially if you're prone to congestion or have a cold, allergies, or sinus issues.
The most recommended medicine is a nasal decongestant, available in both spray and tablet form. It helps reduce swelling in the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes, making it easier for pressure to equalize in the middle ear. It’s best to take a decongestant about 30 to 60 minutes before the plane begins to ascend or descend.
Oral antihistamines can also be helpful if your ear pain is related to allergies, as they reduce inflammation and fluid buildup in the sinuses and ears. In some cases, combining an antihistamine with a decongestant may be more effective.
If you're experiencing pain after the flight, over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen can ease discomfort.
Always consult a healthcare provider before using these medications, especially for children, pregnant travelers, or individuals with heart conditions. When used properly, these medicines can make your flying experience far more comfortable.
If your ears feel blocked after a flight, you might wonder whether ear drops can help. The answer depends on what's causing the blockage.
In some cases, ear drops can be helpful—especially if your ears are plugged due to fluid buildup from allergies, a cold, or sinus congestion. Certain over-the-counter drying or decongestant drops may reduce moisture in the ear canal and ease mild discomfort. If earwax buildup is contributing to the problem, earwax-softening drops can also help loosen and remove the blockage.
However, if your ear feels plugged due to air pressure changes—the most common cause of airplane ear—ear drops are usually not effective. That’s because the problem typically originates behind the eardrum, in the Eustachian tube, which ear drops can’t reach.
In these cases, other methods are more effective, such as:
Important: If you notice ear pain, hearing loss, or fluid discharge after flying, avoid using drops and consult a healthcare professional—especially if a ruptured eardrum is suspected.
Airplane ear, the discomfort or pressure you feel in your ears during or after a flight, usually lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. In most cases, symptoms go away on their own shortly after landing, especially once the pressure inside the ears equalizes with the surrounding environment.
However, how long it lasts can vary based on a few factors:
What to do if your ear is still clogged a few days after flying? If symptoms such as pain, hearing loss, or a feeling of fullness in the ear last more than two days, or if you notice fluid leaking from the ear, it’s best to see a healthcare provider. Prompt treatment can help prevent complications and restore comfort more quickly.
Flying with a cold often increases the risk of ear pain due to blocked Eustachian tubes, which normally help equalize pressure between the middle ear and the environment. When these tubes are congested, pressure can build up during a flight, especially during descent, causing discomfort or even sharp pain. If you're experiencing ear pain after flying while sick, here’s what you can do to find relief:
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