ear problems and flying

awacko

Hi ,
Wondering if any of you have some advice please as I’m flying in a couple of months to spain. The last few years when I have done this, when coming into land at Spain, I’ve found that the air pressure causes me to get an excruciating pain in my head – I would guess my sinusses - and have found that not only do my ears get blocked , it gets so bad that my hearing is affected for a few hours after we have landed. Obviously , I would like to avoid this as it’s a real nuisance at the start of my holiday and so was wondering if anybody had any advice - apart from the usual taking boiled sweets - that might work. Thanks

Mr_Wang

When a plane comes into land just listen on the plane and you will hear all the babies start screaming. This is because they suffer too.

Temporary solutions are sucking something as you have alluded to, but also yawning helps as does holding your nose and blowing through your nostrils.

Permanent solutions might be speaking to your Dr about having your sinuses syringed.

Bogtrotter

Swallowing (sucking on a boiled sweet) or yawning is better for equalising the pressure as the plane is ascending.

When descending the best way to equalise the pressure is to close your mouth, pinch your nostrils closed and then try to force air out through your nose. You will hear and feel your ears pop as the pressure equalises.

At least thats the way scuba divers equalise the pressure when ascending/descending in water.

nottslass_2

Hi ,
My mum suffered terribly with this and was so bad it prevented her from flying for many years - she even once got a ferry back from somewhere or other because the thought of the return flight was too horrifying !!!
She got some advice from BA which included using decongestants before flying. As it was many years ago I forget the exact recommendations but it may be worth a trip to your GP or phone call to a major airlines health department.

Itismehonest

I gave up flying years ago because of sinus & pressure problems. Having to spend days in bed after every flight eventually lost it's charm.
Hope you mother finds a solution, though.

busiscoming2

My DS2 suffered with chronic ear pain after flying, bought him some Earplanes and he hasn't suffered since. They adapt the air pressure or something and it is up to you if you wear them just for ascent and descent or all flight like he does.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=earplanes+ear+plugs&!!!!!googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=8876981773&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17163995231618221533&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_8h3i3danb0_b

sillygoose

I know exactly what you mean, its really hard trying to go through immigration completely deaf, it makes the hub-bub of an airport feel quite disorientating.

I am prone to congestion of all sorts, as people are saying, its down to clear pathways for the body to be able to equalise pressure.

I found a solution for me! I do several treatments with a simple ear wax removal treatment over a few days before travelling and I don't suffer any more. I think these solutions clear wax and other congestion but take some time to work and a few (2-5) treatments so plan ahead.

I use this, lots of high street versions in chemists.

Hmmm how strange, the site won't let me mention
pharmacy first .co .uk?

photome

sillygoose wrote: »

I know exactly what you mean, its really hard trying to go through immigration completely deaf, it makes the hub-bub of an airport feel quite disorientating.

I am prone to congestion of all sorts, as people are saying, its down to clear pathways for the body to be able to equalise pressure.

I found a solution for me! I do several treatments with a simple ear wax removal treatment over a few days before travelling and I don't suffer any more. I think these solutions clear wax and other congestion but take some time to work and a few (2-5) treatments so plan ahead.

I use this, lots of high street versions in chemists.

Hmmm how strange, the site won't let me mention
pharmacy first .co .uk?

The best and most moneysaving thing to clear ear wax is olive oil (ask your gp if you dont believe me).

Wether or not just clearing ear wax will stop your ears hurting on a flight, I dont know

sillygoose

photome wrote: »

The best and most moneysaving thing to clear ear wax is olive oil (ask your gp if you dont believe me).

Wether or not just clearing ear wax will stop your ears hurting on a flight, I dont know

Yes possibly, but putting Waxsol (about £2!) which is a watery solution in your ear is considerably less messy and more appealing than olive oil. Also we are talking about a deep flush which Waxsol can do being thin and sterile. I wouldn't advise anyone to put non sterile food deep inside their ear.

It may not work for everyone of course, but I DO know just clearing earwax CAN stop your ears hurting, but thanks for your input.

Tina20

I get this, 3 holidays have been ruined by excruciating pain and deafness for over a week. It's horrible

DUKE

I've had it too, I put my fingers in my ears & although it didn't stop the pain it did help a bit.