Severe Ear pain while flying on airplane!
By koalatbs
@koalatbs (2229)
United States
May 16, 2008 2:32pm CST
We went to Disneyland 2 weeks ago and on the plane ride there and back my 13 year old son had some absolutely horrible ear pain! Each time it happened just as the airplane was descending to land. It was only in his left ear both times. It got blocked like everyone's ears sometimes do when flying but the thing that worried me the most was his awful ear pain. It was so bad he would not even talk and he just held his ear and closed his eyes, gritting his teeth from the pain. Has this happened to anyone else? Do you know why that would happen?
5 people like this
17 responses
@AmbiePam (120599)
• United States
19 May 08
Yeah, the few times I've been on planes I've always been able to pop my ears so the pressure wouldn't affect them. I'd just open my mouth really wide, and do that 'thing' which gets them to pop. A thing I really can't describe, but I see a lot of other people do in the airplane as well. Which must be funny looking to the flight attendants.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
19 May 08
Hi AmbiePam - Yes, I agree... I am sure the flight attendants see some pretty funny looking faces of people trying to get their ears to pop. My mom used to be a flight attendant for American Airlines years ago, before she married my dad. I am 38 years old so it must have been over 40 years ago when she was a stewardess. That is what they were called back then... no male flight attendants. She had to wear a short little skirt, serve 3 course meals in high heeled shoes and they had to be single. Back then, the stewardesses could NOT be married. My mom told me that some of her fellow stewardesses were secretly married... some were even secretly married to pilots! LoL
@kezara (1)
•
16 Jul 10
Hey, this year march i was travelling back from lanzarote and as the plane started the land my ear started to feel clogged and it was like it was getting worse and worse as we were going down, but it eventually poped once we had landed, it was more of a scare to me as i can only hear in one of my ears always and no one on the plane was experiencing the pain that was in my ear. Iv got another holiday coming up in august and im scared it will happen to my ear again, but as doing some research iv found out it could have been a cold/infection that i was unaware with as i didnt think anything was wrong with me. The air host thought i was crazy lol and kept telling me that my ears would pop back. Mine happend in my left ear aswell but i did fell a little tingling in my right aswell.
@goldeneagle (6743)
• United States
16 May 08
This is actually a common occurrence for people who fly, especially on long flights. It happens because of the difference in air pressure. The air pressure is lighter at altitudes where the airlines fly. When you go up in a plane, especially for extended periods of time, your ears (and the rest of your body) adjusts themselves to the air pressure up there. As the plane starts to land, it decreases altitude rather quickly, moving you in a relatively short time from a place where the air pressure is thin and light, to an atmosphere where the pressure is greater. This can cause your ears to pop and hurt. It can also cause headaches for a brief time.
One thing you can do to help relieve this pressure in the future is to have your son chew gum while on the plane, especially during take-off and landing. I don't know why it works, but my sister told me about it the first time I flew. I have done it every time I have flown, and for some reason, it seems to help. It may not totally eliminate the problem, but it should relieve at least some of the pressure. Give it a try the next time you fly.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
16 May 08
Hi goldeneagle - thanks for responding. I actually did buy some chewing gum for him before we flew home since he had this problem on the way to Disneyland. It didn't do any good. But, then again, maybe it was because he did not start chewing it until the pain already started. It was not a long flight. We flew from San Francisco to Orange County airport which was only about an hour flight. He has flown many times over these past 2 years as we currently live in California, as I mentioned, and he flys back to the east coast to visit his father at least four times a year so that makes it about 8 round trips each year at least.
@goldeneagle (6743)
• United States
16 May 08
I don't know what to tell you then. Maybe you should take him to a doctor and tell the doctor what happened. Maybe the doctor can tell you something.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
19 May 08
I have scheduled a doctor's appointment for him so hopefully the doctor will be able to check out his ears to make sure there is nothing seriously wrong. Hopefully he'll have some tips for airplane travel as well to make sure this does not happen again. I'm sure my son will agree with me.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
17 May 08
I love to fly and am pretty fearless in airplanes, but on one particular flight that happened to me and honestly I had to put my head down in my lap and as you say grit my teeth to keep from crying out. It was about the most awful pain I'd ever had, even worse than you-know-what. It was a full moon and the sky was so beautiful as we were above the clouds. It was heavenly. But when we started to descend this happened just as you describe. I know exactly what the poor little tyke was going through. I had just a little head cold, nothing serious at all, but I guess my ears were congested. It was mostly my right ear, though, and when I flew again shortly thereafter, I was unusually apprehensive.
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
19 May 08
Yes! In fact, in all of my 35 years, and all of the times I have flown, I have only had one time when it didn't happen. It tends to happen to both my ears on descent. It is because he has some inflammation in his ears. You can give him an antihistamine and that will alleviate some of the pain. Not necessarily all of it. But, it will help with some of it. Just give it to him about an hour before landing so that it starts to work.
Trust me, that pain has been so bad for me in the past that it has brought tears to my eyes. Some times are worse than others. As for your son, it could have been a one time deal. Had he been sick previous to your trip? And, I don't just mean a few days before. Up to weeks and even one or two months. He may have had a winter cold that left a little bit of mucous behind that he has been slowly getting rid of. Or, does he have any allergies he has been fighting? A runny nose or congestion? That is what is basically in his ear that caused the pain. Whenever you fly again, just try to remember whether he was sick with a head cold, allergies, or any mucous at all and know that it will likely happen again if he had it even as much as a couple of months before the trip.
You might even start giving him some antihistamines a couple days before your next flight to see if you can break that up before the trip. But, just make sure your son can handle an antihistamine. I am not a doctor. So, I don't want to get into trouble for giving your a suggestion that ends up hurting your son. I am just giving you a suggestion based on my 35 years of experience in this pain.
How you described him sitting, that is the exact picture of me in my seat as the plane descends with me in it. It sucks! It is really bad pain and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. And, as bad as that pain is, at its mildest, it still is almost unbearable.
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
22 May 08
Thank you for the best response and, I am glad I could be of some help. As for me, the antihistamine probably works a little but, not entirely. I think if I didn't take it, the severe pain I feel would be a lot worse. Perhaps bad enough to have me passing out. But, it also depends on when I fly. if I fly when I am less likely to have been sick, the pain will be less severe. And, I have only flown once when I had been healthy for a while, which means free of any allergies or previous illnesses that left any mucous behind. That time was amazing. I readied myself for pain, even took the antihistamine, but had none whatsoever. It was the first time I ever experienced flying like most people in the world! LOL! I might look for those ear plugs for the next time I fly. Not sure when that will be but, I will try to remember to look for them then. Thank you for telling me about them!
I hope your son has a better time of it in June!
And, I will not be trying that word 3 times! I have a hard enough time saying words as it is! LOL!
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
22 May 08
Oh goodness cortjo73 - I am sorry you have to deal with the ear pain. Thanks for the information about how you deal with it. When you take the antihistamine does it help you? I did take my son to see an ear specialist called an Otolaryngologist. Now that is a mouth-full! LoL! Try to say that 3 times fast. LoL! Anyway, the doctor was great and she was very nice. She said it is most likely allergies. He does have allergies and used to get allergy shots when we lived in on the east coast. But, now that we live on the west coast his allergies have not been as bad so we discontinued his shots about 2 years ago. Now, he just uses a prescription nasal spray each night before bed. But, sometimes he forgets to use it. I try to remind him but forget sometimes too. The doctor said just what you did. She suggested to take Sudafed as well as use Afrin nasal spray just before the flight and again just before descent. She also said he can use something over-the-counter called ear plane plugs. It supposedly helps regulate the pressure or something. My son will be flying again in June to stay with his dad for the summer so I hope it works. I will let you know. Thanks again for all your advice. Take care and I hope you have a nice holiday weekend.
1 person likes this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
22 May 08
I almost forgot... while at the ear doctor, she cleaned both of his ears out as there was a lot of wax build-up. He has always had that problem but never had them cleaned out by a doctor although I have asked for it to be done before and the general practioners always told me there was no need. I am so glad this doctor did though. You should have seen what came out of his ears! I won't describe it here for you because it was pretty disgusting. There was a lot of it too. She used some special tools plus a ear vacuum type suction. He said it hurt but I am sure he will be hearing a LOT better now. The doctor told me he should have this done one to two times a year. My mom told me that my dad had it done himself about once a year also. So, maybe the wax problem runs in the family. Maybe just having my son's ears so much cleaner now will help with the flying problem too. You might want to look into having your ears cleaned since you have this same problem as my son.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
17 Aug 08
He could have the beginnings or end of an ear infection and/or swimmer's ear or a cold. The change in pressure can hurt when something's already not quite right! I was just getting over something like that when I flew to LA and after the flight it was 10 times worse. Hope he feels better.
How was Disneyland?
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
17 Aug 08
Oh, hi Dawn... haven't seen you in awhile. I did take my son to see a specialist for his ear because I wasn't sure if he was getting an infection or what. The doctor said his ears looked fine and she cleaned them really well as he had a lot of wax build up inside. She said that most likely it was allergies and she recommended a few things... Sudafed, ear plane plugs and Afrin nasal spray. He used them during his next flight and had no problems. I am really glad because he was in sooo much pain on our trip to and from Disneyland. We had a great time there... thanks for asking. I wish we could have spent more time there but we were only able to go because my husband was already scheduled to attend a conference right nearby so we were able to tag along for the weekend. We could only afford to spend one day in the park but it was still well worth it. Maybe someday we can go back again and be able to stay longer so we can see more and ride more of the fun rides. Have you ever been there?
1 person likes this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
18 Aug 08
Oh... wow, you are so lucky to have been able to go to Disneyland so often! How are you liking Sacramento? The only time I have been there was late one night to pick up my son and my mom from the airport there... so, obviously, I didn't get to do any touring around.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Aug 08
I'm from Southern California, so Disneyland was pretty much an annual event until we moved to Sacramento!
@Professor2010 (20156)
• India
29 May 10
Hello this is so common , many have this problem, it is due to sudden change in pressure during take up, but for right advise you better consult a specialist...
Thanks for sharing.
Welcome always. 
Cheers.
Prof
Cheers.
Prof
@Annie69 (1)
•
12 May 12
This happened to me as well and the pain was so excrutiating, that there was talk of landing the plane because of me. I was mortified at the mere thought of a plane full of people being inconvenienced, however a stewardess from heaven came to my aide. This is no longer allowed on planes because it is a liability but there is a way around it in an emergency....she brought me a cup with maybe 3 tablespoons of steaming hot water...inside was a few cotton balls to absorb the water in order to avoid the water from spilling....she had me hold the cup sealed to my ear with my head tilted sideways on top of the cup (never hold the cup up to your ear because you can burn yourself if the water spills out)... In just seconds, with the steam, i felt a huge relief. The pressure subsided as my ear started to pop little by little. It was the only thing that got me through the landing. My ear popped more when we landed and it was very painful and i also couldn't hear for about 2 days but i will always be grateful to that stewardess for that amazing little solution in the moment. However, as i mentioned before, they will not offer this as an option anymore but i always ask for tea and keep it on standby with cottonballs in my purse in case i have to apply this little remedy to myself. I would keep an extra cup if you can or drink some of the tea leaving just enough behind to serve its purpose.
I hope this bit of info has been helpful.....
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
17 Aug 08
I had my first flight in 1987 and was alright until the plane started descending when I got severe ear pain. It was being unable to release the pressure in my ears. I hated the pain each time I flew until 1997. My friend got me a pair of ear planes to try and they took away all my ear pain. They are plastic screw things that fit inside my ears and help by regulating the pressure.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
17 Aug 08
Hi maximax8 - we finally discovered those ear plane plugs after I took my son to see an ear specialist after his first horribly painful experience after a flight. The doctor suggested those plus using Afrin & Sudafed prior to a plane ride and just before descent. We bought all of those and he followed her instructions on his next flight and he did not have any ear pain that time... thank goodness!
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
19 May 08
Not that I can remember tipsyflash. We were in the swimming pool at our apartment complex just yesterday and he was fine. Though, we were not in the pool for very long... it was freezing! Brrr! It might have been in the low-80's yesterday but it definitely was very chilly in the pool. We about froze! LoL
@thedaddym (1731)
• United States
18 Aug 08
It is the pressure in the air cabin as the plane goes up. If you are not moving your jaw a bit as you go up this will cause your ears to become blocked and you will have pain. The best thing to do in an airplane is chew gum until the plane stabilizes. This will keep the jaws moving and help keep some of the pressure from buildig up.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
19 Aug 08
Thanks thedaddym - Chewing gum usually helps with most people. In this case, however, it was discovered that my son was suffering from some allergy problems which made it that much worse. I have since taken him to an ear specialist and she examined him and told us what to do the next time he flies on an airplane. The doctor gave me very specific instructions and he has flown again since then and he had no problems. He was supposed to use Afrin and Sudafed before and during the flight, especially just prior to the plane's descent. The doctor also recommended something called "ear plane plugs". He used those as well and with that combination he was spared the pain during his last plane ride. Thank goodness!
@WANDALIE44 (888)
• United States
19 May 08
this is something my grandma does when she flies. she puts cotton in her ears and chews on gum. it works for me too when i fly, hopefuly it will work for you good luck.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
19 May 08
Well, I had my son chew bubblegum on the plane ride back home but it did not help him at all. Unfortunately though, I think he began chewing it after the pain began so maybe that was why it did not work. I will have him try the cotton next time though... thanks for the tip from your grandmother. I hope it works next time he flys to visit his dad for the summer this June.
@lchiat (1070)
• Malaysia
18 Aug 08
Hi. I never have ears pain before while i am on aeroplane. Normally i will eat chewing gums when i am going to travel in plane. The pressure in the ears will be different in the plane and will make me feel very uncomfortable. So i will keep on chewing the chewing gums and it makes me feel better. But i didnt have ears pain problem before. My dad had it before and after landing he got serious headache. This is the first time i see him suffering from ears pain while in the plane. So for your information try to eat chewing gums while your going to fly. Try to prevent it so that wont spoil your holidays mood. Happy myloting!!! Have a nice day!!!
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
18 Aug 08
Thanks Ichiat - we did have chewing gum for him but it did not work. After I took him to the doctor's office later we found out it was most likely related to allergies and that taking some Sudafed and Afrin beforehand, plus trying something called earplane plugs might help. The next time he flew he used them and he did not suffer from any ear pain whatsoever... thankfully.
@lixiaos77 (1030)
• Shijiazhuang, China
17 Aug 08
The pressure in the air is less than the pressure on land. You ear will suffer severe ear pain if your ear can't adapt to it. You can open you mouth a little to balence the pressure of your mouth and ear, this will help in a way. And you can chew gum while you are on airplane.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
12 Aug 08
Hi arif_h - Yes, I did take my son to a doctor, an eye specialist actually. I am so glad I did because she gave him some very good advice after examining his ears to make sure nothing was wrong. She cleaned them really well as he had some bad wax build up. But, she told him it is probably related to allergies. She told me to buy him some Afrin nasal spray and to use it about 30 minutes before the plane is scheduled to take off. Then, use it again before the plane is scheduled to descend. She also told us to get him some Sudafed tablets and buy a set of something called "Ear Plane Plugs" which I found at a AAA store. I am sure they are sold other places too though. My son followed her advice to the letter and he had absolutely no problems or pain during his last flight... thank goodness. Hope this helps you the next time you fly. Take care.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
18 May 08
Hi KarenO52 - We usually always carry chewing gum on the flights just in case but, of course, this time we forgot. For the flight home however we made a special stop at the store inside the airport to buy some but it did not do him any good. I don't know if it was because we did not think about giving him the gum until it was already too late or what. It was a very short flight... just about an hour. Usually when he flys to see his father across country the flight is much longer. Maybe with the longer flights it gave his ears more of a chance to get used to the pressure changes or something. Who really knows. I did make him an appointment to see a doctor just to make sure it is nothing serious. I will let you know what I find out. Thanks again. I hope you had a nice weekend.
@mastermindkk (295)
• India
16 May 08
well i have hear that our ear has a fluid that can let our brain know the speed and height of our body while traveling ... and so they adjust their neurons..
when there is sudden change like take off and and landing or sudden break .. lot or variable signals are send by that fluid to brain ... some time they get mixed up and result in pain.
i am not sure this the only reason or not ... but you must consult with doctor about that ....
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
16 May 08
Thank you mastermindkk for responding. I am definitely going to take him to see a doctor. I think I forgot to mention in my original post that he continued to have pain in his ear for several hours after landing and his ear remained blocked for a full day afterwards as well, with gradual improvement as time went by. That is interesting about the fluid in the ear and such. There are so many strange things that go on in our bodies it is a real wonder things don't go wrong more often.
@natliegleb (5173)
• India
17 Oct 12
that happens because of the travel,you will just get adapted to it over a period of time
