What Causes Plugged Ears During Air Travel?

Traveling by air sometimes poses certain problems, whether one is a frequent-flier or a first-timer. Flying at peak times (when airplanes are crowded), for instance, can make one feel dizzy, often owing to the stale air prevailing inside the airplane. The dry cabin air can also cause dehydration. When the airplane encounters turbulence, those who are prone to motion sickness are most likely to be affected instantly. And then there is the problem of plugged ears which is common because of changes in air pressure.

Why does one usually experience plugged ears - and feel his hearing is impaired - during air travel? The answer lies in the lack of evenness between the air pressure in the middle ear and the air pressure on the outside. Under normal conditions, the bony and cartilaginous tube, called eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear with the back of the nose, acts as the equalizer of air pressure on both sides of the eardrum. As the air inside the middle ear is sucked up by the membrane lining the ear, the eustachian tube replenishes it.

In the event the eustachian tube becomes blocked, an empty space is created. This vacuum can suck the eardrum inwards; this occurrence is sometimes painful to the one who experiences it. As a consequence, the eardrum's ability to vibrate (for the purpose of picking up sound waves and conveying them) becomes impaired, and this can cause the person to experience muffled - or even a temporary loss of - hearing.

The abnormal condition of plugged ears during air travel is especially patent as the airplane is taking off or when it commences landing procedures. During either of these situations, the air pressure around the passenger changes all too suddenly, and the eustachian tube often fails to respond normally by balancing the supply of air to the middle ear just as quickly to deter blockage.

A few minutes is usually all that it takes for plugged ears to clear up; on their own, the ears eventually pop open. But since the problem can repeatedly occur especially during a long flight, the airplane passenger can try doing some of the measures that are common to most air travelers, to relieve at once the discomfort caused by the recurring problem without waiting for the plugged ears to open up on their own. These include chewing gum, yawning, or swallowing. The painful pressure resulting from the plugged ears can also be relieved by holding your nose and blowing gently until you feel your ears pop.

In case you are traveling with a baby, provide him with a pacifier to suck or bite on. This can help prevent the baby's ears from being blocked during the ascent and descent of the airplane.