Air travel is a convenient and comfortable way to get to your destination, but it can quickly become uncomfortable when your ears start to hurt. When you’re soaring thousands of feet above ground, the cabin pressure shifts, leading to some potentially unpleasant side effects. These changes in pressure can cause discomfort, including abdominal bloating, headaches, and most commonly, ear pain.
“Airplane ear” is the term commonly used to refer to the range of symptoms caused by these altitude changes. For some passengers, it’s merely a brief feeling of fullness or muffled hearing that resolves itself shortly after landing. However, for others, the experience can be far more painful, leading to severe discomfort or even damage to the eardrum. The condition can range from mild inconvenience to a more serious issue that requires medical attention.
How to ease the discomfort:
Simple self-care techniques like yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum can help relieve the pressure changes and ease the discomfort associated with airplane ear. These actions help balance the pressure in your ears, offering quick relief from the symptoms.
The phenomenon of Airplane ear is related to air pressure. Air at ground level is denser compared to the air encountered at higher altitudes. As we ascend into the atmosphere, the air pressure decreases.
Behind the eardrum is the Eustachian tube, which holds trapped air. During takeoff, the air inside the tube is under higher pressure than the air outside. This causes the trapped air to push against the eardrum, making the popping sound we all hear.
Risk Factors:
Conditions that interfere with the proper function of the Eustachian tube can make you more prone to experiencing airplane ear. Several factors increase this risk, such as having a smaller Eustachian tube, which is more common in infants and toddlers. Other contributing factors include having a cold, sinus infections, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or middle ear infections (otitis media). Additionally, sleeping during takeoff or landing on a flight can also increase the likelihood of an aeroplane ear, as you’re not actively engaging in actions like yawning or swallowing to help balance the pressure in your ears.
So, the next time you’re on a flight and hear that familiar pop, you’ll at least understand the science behind it, even if it’s not the most comfortable sensation.
