What to do to avoid ear popping during a flight: simple techniques that pilots use

Flying on an airplane can cause your ears to feel full due to the difference in pressure on either side of your eardrum.

An unpleasant feeling arises every time the plane gains altitude or, conversely, descends.

Since professional pilots deal with ear congestion on a daily basis, they know exactly which techniques are most effective.

Yawn

When you yawn, the tissues around the ear canal (Eustachian tube) stretch, causing the ear canal itself to straighten and open, thereby equalizing the pressure.

Swallow

Be sure to keep a bottle of water close to you, and whenever your ears start to get clogged, sip the liquid in small sips - this will help cope with clogged ears and dehydration.

Another option is to suck on lozenges: they can cause saliva to form, which is exactly what you need.

Make chewing movements

Chewing, like yawning, stretches the tissue around the ear canal. Bring some chewing gum on the plane – it’s often found in pilots’ flight bags.

Previously, we talked about what to do with blisters from calluses and burns.

• Related news:
• ears
• flight
• air travel
• 10 July 2024

---