Air travel has side effects on some people, with ear pressure being prominent among travelers. Essentially, this condition is a bothersome and a common side effect of flying. Some medical practitioners refer to this condition as ear barotraumas or barotitis. Several factors can cause or exacerbate the symptoms of air travel-induced ear pressure. However, travelers can also prevent and alleviate the symptoms of this condition.
Causes of Air Travel-Induced Ear Pressure
Most experts point to pressure changes due to altitude changes as the primary cause of ear pressure. Essentially, flying disturbs the pressure balance between the middle and the outer ear. This disturbance contributes to the discomfort symptoms by stretching the eardrum’s tympanic membrane.
A traveler can experience intense ear pressure levels when landing and taking off. Also, this pressure can be worse when the plane climbs or descends at a fast pace. Additionally, sudden altitude changes can trigger significant pressure changes, causing severe symptoms.
If you have a condition blocking the Eustachian tube, your ear pressure can be higher. Also, sinus infections, colds, and ear infections can increase your symptoms. Sleeping during ascent or descent can also trigger ear pressure symptoms.
Signs of Air Travel-Induced Ear Pressure
Some of the symptoms that you’re suffering from ear pressure due to air travel include:
- Discomfort in both or one ears
- Stuffiness sensation in your ear canal
- Ringing sensations
- Slight or complete hearing loss
- Bleeding ear
- Nausea
How to Prevent Air Travel-Induced Ear Pressure
Experts suggest different ways to prevent this condition when traveling.
These include:
- Frequent swallowing
- Opening the mouth wide when you experience pressure in your ears
- Yawning
- Chewing a gum
- Using the Valsalva maneuver
- Using filtered earplugs to equalize pressure against the eardrums
- Staying hydrated to avoid throat and nasal passages irritation
Self-care strategies enable some people to prevent this condition. However, you may experience persistent air travel-induced ear pressure. In that case, your healthcare provider can prescribe medications like oral antihistamines and decongestant nasal sprays. Though rare, surgery could also be necessary to fix the ruptured membranes or eardrums.