Earplane: Am I ready to fly again?

Question

Hi, I'm a frequent flier, probably average 40 flights a year for the past 5 years. 2 Weeks ago for the second time since I've been flying I got airplane ear. Both ears clogged up (I had been sick and flew, my mistake). Went to the ENT he said I had fluid and infection, did the antibiotic thing. I now have another flight (this one for pleasure not business) planned in 2 days. I feel 10x better physically than I did before but I still have some faint crackling in my ears when I yawn or push my jaw out. I don't feel the same pressure I did right after the flight but I also don't feel 100% normal. I'm honestly not sure if the light crackling I'm still hearing is normal and I'm just hyper sensitive to it right now.

So my dilemma is that I can cancel my vacation plans in order to give my ears more time to readjust, but I'm not sure if I'm just being overly cautious, any tips or tricks to figure out if my ears are ready to fly again?

Thanks

Answer 1

Evaluate your sinus pressure. If you're still feeling pressure in your sinus cavities, you may have problems. If your sinuses are clear, you're breathing normally (no nasal congestion), and you don't have any pressure, you'll probably be okay. Try holding you nose and trying to gently blow out through it to build up the pressure. If you experience any pain, you're probably going to have issues on the flight. If you do decide to fly, my ENT insists that I chew gum during takeoff and landing to help equalize the pressure.



I strongly recommend that you make an appointment to see the ENT or even just a general doctor to get your ear looked at. Chances are that you'll be fine, but better safe than sorry! If you do damage your eardrum, you could be grounded for up to a month for the surgery to fix it.

Answer 2

Every time I fly I get severe (or at least it feels that way) pressure build up in my ears to a point where it hurts and I can barely hear for a day or 2 after landing. The pressure build up begins as the plane begins to descend. I am not sure if this is the same thing you experienced.



I have discovered, thankfully, that by simply equalizing the pressure in my ears as the plane descends, I avoid this very uncomfortable experience. I simply hold my nose and GENTLY pop your ears. If you have ever gone SCUBA diving, it is the same thing you are instructed to do as you descend in the water as the pressure increase is about 3 times greater then air. I find that I do it about once every 30-60 seconds during descent. Somewhat annoying but worth it to avoid the discomfort. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Here is an excerpt from an answer I gave to a similar question:



If you're troubled by the change in air pressure in your middle ear, chewing gum can be helpful, especially during the first few minutes after takeoff and during the decent to landing when the cabin pressurization system is adjusting to the change in altitude. The cabin pressure is typically maintained at a simulated altitude of 8,000 feet once the aircraft climbs above that altitude. If chewing gum and frequent swallowing during climbout and decent doesn't relieve your discomfort, visit your personal physician for additional remedies. Your Eustachian tube, the connection between the back of your throat and your middle ear, may be unusually narrow and/or blocked by tissue swelling from allergies or a head cold, etc. Military pilots who experience dramatic pressure changes of perhaps 10,000 to 25,000 feet in the span of a minute in combat maneuvers sometimes resort to a nasal decongestant spray containing Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride, the active ingredient in Afrin. The generic house brands are equally effective and MUCH less expensive than Afrin. Check with your doctor about this. He or she may also prescribe a long-acting decongestant.



A more extensive discussion is given by the American Academy of Otolaryngology:



http://www.sinuscarecenter.com/aao/barer_aao.htm



Good luck!

Answer 4

My ears frequently plug due to ear wax. I recommend doing some ear coning before your travel. It is safe and natural and for me, it helps keep my ears from plugging up.



Obviously some plugging is going to occur on a flight but I have found that by keeping my ears coned often (every 3 to 4 months), it has made a difference.



I used to get out of the shower and bend over to dry my hair and my one ear would plug so it was frequent.



Ear cones can be bought from any health store and are very inexpensive.

Answer 5

You forgot to mention when you last saw your ENT. In general, it would not be advisable for you to fly with fluid in your ears because this could lead to perforation of your ear drums. You may need oral antibiotics, as well as decongestants. If you really have to fly, make sure you take a decongestant at least 30 minutes before a flight. drink lots of water.

Answer 6

I would love to share a great tip that was given to me when I was on a flight.



My ears hurt so bad while flying that I was in tears. The stewardess gave me to styrofoam cups with hot wet paper towels inside of the cups. She told me to put each one over my ear. The moisture from the paper towels absorbs in your ear drum.



You might feel stupid holding cups up to your ears but believe me it really works. My ears felt so much better.



Give it a try.



Good luck!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

its airplane.