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To make sure you Wrap everything up You have to cross security, travel is one of the most anxious experiences that we put on regularly - and it is before getting into the plane. Once you are there, however, there are a number of potential stressors, including the sudden realization that your ears are obstructed. The accumulation of pressure in the ear can give you uncomfortable and suffer for the whole flight. This is why it is so important to know how to manage a clogged ear in a safe and painless way. Read the rest to find out more about this frustrating condition and how to get out when you fly.

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Why do my ears feel obstructed on planes?

Most travelers agree that "one of the worst feelings during the flight is to face these obstinate and obstructed ears," said Fiona Spinks ,, travel expert and solo adventurer.

"You know the exercise: takeoff and landing, and suddenly, you have the impression that your ears are cotton filled," she said. "It's super boring."

This condition is often known as "plane ear". But in clinical terms, it can be called barotraumat The Mayo clinic .

You can discover the plane ear in one or both ears. The current symptoms of this condition include discomfort or moderate pain in your ear, feelings of fullness or compassionate in your ear, and muffled hearing or a light to moderate hearing loss.

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Why are obstructed ears occurring?

Travelers are most likely to know the plane ear during takeoff and landing, according to Soma Mandal , MD, a Internist certified by the commission In collaboration with Summit Health in New Providence, New Jersey.

"This happens due to atmospheric pressure changes," she explains. "The middle ear is connected to the back of your throat by the Eustache tube, which helps to equalize the pressure between the middle ear and the external environment. During the changes of rapid altitude, such as those felt In a plane, pressure differences can cause the Eustachian Tube to become temporarily obstructed, leading to this obstructed feeling.

While Mandal develops, the Eustache tube is not always able to open quickly enough to equalize the air pressure when the pressure changes quickly, as it does during the ascent and the descent of a flight.

"This results in a pressure imbalance, which means that the eardrum of the ear swells inwards or outwards, which can cause discomfort, a feeling of fullness and a decrease in hearing ", she says.

Your risk of living a painful plane ear can be even higher if you are sick or dehydrated, Specialist in orthopedic surgery Sam Hilton , Do, warns.

"Staying hydrated is important because the dry air in the cabin can cause dehydration, which could exacerbate the discomfort of the ear," he advises. "If you have a cold and sinus infection or allergies, manage these conditions with appropriate drugs before flying, as they can worsen the blocking of the Eustache tube."

How to burst your ears without hurting you

You don't have to sit in pain while waiting for the plane ear to disappear. Experts say that there are several different tips that can help relieve the pressure of the ear while you are still on your flight. Here are five methods that you can use to burst your ears without it hurting you.

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1. Make yourself yawning.

The yawn or the false yawn is one of the most painless means of breaking up naturally. This is because "the opening of your wide mouth stretches the muscles that can help open the Eustache tubes", according to sales pilot Justin Crabbe .

"This allows a slight equalization of pressure, and it avoids the energetic methods that could cause pain," he explains.

2. Use the Valsalva maneuver.

You've probably used VALSALVA maneuver in the past, even if you don't know it by name. This is where you "close your mouth, you close your nostrils and blow gently as if you were trying to impress your nose", according to Hilton.

"This increases the pressure in the throat, which can help open the tubes of Eustache," he notes.

But in order to make sure it bursts painless, Hilton warns travelers to avoid blowing too hard, which can damage your eardrums.

3. Or try the Toynbee maneuver.

Toynbee’s maneuver is another method that people may not know by name despite leaning on it to get broke. Like Valsalva's maneuver, you need to close your nostrils for this tip. But instead of blowing outwards, Toynbee's maneuver forces you to swallow inward while your nose is closed.

"This technique combines the movements of swallowing and the equalization of pressure, which can help open the eustache tubes and relieve the obstructed sensation," explains Hilton.

To help this method, Travel expert and content creator Dana Yao suggests taking a sip of water, as it can make you easier.

4. Chew gum.

You may want to take a branch of gum with you during your next flight. Chewing gum is the higher method Jerry Friedman , Dds, dentist During oral and maxillo-factor surgery of North Jersey, recommends you to fly.

"When the plane takes off, stick it in a piece of gum and chew throughout the ascent," he suggests. "It alone is often enough to help your ears burst and adapt to changing altitude."

As Spinks explains, the chewing gum can relieve the pressure of the ear by moving your jaw.

"In addition, the chewing act could also have you yawn, giving you the double the chances of bursting these ears," she said. "It's an agreement two for one!"

5. Use ear caps designed for flight.

Bringing special earplugs on your next flight can make a big difference. According to Mandal, ear caps designed for theft (like ear planes) can help your ears burst without hurting, as they regulate pressure changes more gradually. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"These ear plugs contain a small filter that slows down the pressure change rate, which facilitates the adaptation of your ears," she said.

To make the best use of these ear plugs, Yao recommends you to "insert them before takeoff and remove them once the plane has reached the cruise altitude, then reinsert them before the descent".

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What should I do when my ears don't jump?

If you have tried all these methods and your ears will still not jump, the first thing you should do is stay calm, advises Yao.

"Just keep swallowing, yawning or chewing gum," she suggests. "Sometimes it takes a little time for the pressure to be equalized."

You should also "drink a lot of liquids to keep your mucous membranes wet", recommends Mandal.

And avoid caffeine and alcohol because "they can worsen the problem," add Crabbe.

Finally, do not be afraid to consider turning to medication if you have trouble getting apart.

"Over -the -counter nasal decongestants or oral decongestants can help reduce swelling in nasal passages and eustachian tubes," notes Mandal. "I generally recommend taking over -the -counter decongestant about 30 minutes before a flight."

When should I see a doctor on my bought ears?

If your ears still feel blocked or painful more than a few days after your flight, Mandal recommends consulting an Oto-Rhino-Laryngologist or your primary care doctor. You should also see a doctor immediately if you feel one of the following symptoms after a flight: ear discharge, severe ear pain, dizziness or hearing loss.

"It could be signs of an ear infection, a significant eustachic tube dysfunction or other underlying problems that require medical care," warns certified neurologist from the board of directors Ricewan Bashir , Md.

If your ears are frequently obstructed during flights or if you feel severe, Rob Burley ,, travel trip expert And the founder of GP Traveler, recommends seeing a specialist in the ear, nose and throat (ENT).

"They can provide you with personalized advice and potential processing options," he notes.

Wrap

This is all for our guide on how to burst your ears when you can make sure you are comfortable whenever you travel. But be sure to check soon with us for more content that can help you be better prepared for all your future flights.