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Airplae Earplugs

MadMan118

MadMan118

Jan 10, 2008
1,446
6
Vallejo, CA
#1
You know, the ones that are supposed to prevent your eardrums from caving in. I have a flight coming up that and I usually dread flying due to the sharp pain I experience during landing and takeoff. I've tried all the other methods gum, chewing etc. Yawning works the bast for me but the pain is still quite significant. I was wondering if any of you have ever tried those earplugs that are designed to help alleviate this issue.For the record I take a decongestant, yawn regularly and see a Ear Nose and Throat specialist at least 72 hours prior to my flight. I'm pretty much a wimp when it comes to ear pain and I have an extreme phobia of losing my hearing(duh), so I'm prepared to spend 100+ dollars on anything that will work.
Like these: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_132143_cirrus_healthcare_earplanes_reviews
 
#5
I'd pass on the earplugs, there are too many variables in making them work properly.

Modern aircraft have far better pressurization systems than with older aircraft. These are automatic (usually set before take-off) so the sort of pressure dumps that were experienced in the past due to the pilots being late in descending the cabin are very unusual. Are there some aircraft you have the problem in more than others? The other factors that can cause issues, such as airports that require special descent procedures, that can cause the pressurization systems to lag and 'cause the issues you experience.

If you have your issue on every flight, then I would recommend going to see a ENT specialist. I used to have a lot of problems on planes and ended up having an operation, which helped considerably. I should add the op on my nose and sinuses was not to help me fly but to assist with regular sinus infections/problems I was experiencing.

The other thing to do is not to wait until the pain comes to try to relieve pressure: do it proactively. Chew gum or suck sweets and swallow every 30-60 seconds from when you feel the plane descending. I find that pushing you finger into the lower part at the back of your ear, closing you ear canal, while swallowing is the best way to even out the pressure. This is the method most pilots/flight attendants use!
 
#6
Skeletomania said:
Have you tried pinching your nose while exhaling through your nostrils. That works better than chewing or yawning in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Be very careful doing this! It is possible (however unlikely) to burst an eardrum this way - if you think a bit of sinus pain is bad it's nothing compared to a burst eardrum! Think knitting needle in the ear!
 
#7
MadMan118 said:
You know, the ones that are supposed to prevent your eardrums from caving in. I have a flight coming up that and I usually dread flying due to the sharp pain I experience during landing and takeoff. I've tried all the other methods gum, chewing etc. Yawning works the bast for me but the pain is still quite significant. I was wondering if any of you have ever tried those earplugs that are designed to help alleviate this issue.For the record I take a decongestant, yawn regularly and see a Ear Nose and Throat specialist at least 72 hours prior to my flight. I'm pretty much a wimp when it comes to ear pain and I have an extreme phobia of losing my hearing(duh), so I'm prepared to spend 100+ dollars on anything that will work.
Like these: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_132143_cirrus_healthcare_earplanes_reviews
Click to expand...
These things are a MIRACLE. If I fly without them I experience severe sinus pain. With them I am fine. I don't know how they work, and I don't care. GET THEM!!!!!!!!! Pay very close attention to the instructions and make sure they are properly inserted - if they leak they won't work.

I still hate flying, but these make it tolerable.
 
#9
Thunderitter said:
Be very careful doing this! It is possible (however unlikely) to burst an eardrum this way - if you think a bit of sinus pain is bad it's nothing compared to a burst eardrum! Think knitting needle in the ear!
Click to expand...

Yup, it's so dangerous that only every scuba diver in the world learns and uses this technique, several times a dive!!

If you wish to avoid shattering of the eardrums, breathe out normally; don't force it. If it won't happen it won't happen.

Peace,
Greg
 
#10
Thunderitter said:
I'd pass on the earplugs, there are too many variables in making them work properly.

Modern aircraft have far better pressurization systems than with older aircraft. These are automatic (usually set before take-off) so the sort of pressure dumps that were experienced in the past due to the pilots being late in descending the cabin are very unusual. Are there some aircraft you have the problem in more than others? The other factors that can cause issues, such as airports that require special descent procedures, that can cause the pressurization systems to lag and 'cause the issues you experience.

If you have your issue on every flight, then I would recommend going to see a ENT specialist. I used to have a lot of problems on planes and ended up having an operation, which helped considerably. I should add the op on my nose and sinuses was not to help me fly but to assist with regular sinus infections/problems I was experiencing.

The other thing to do is not to wait until the pain comes to try to relieve pressure: do it proactively. Chew gum or suck sweets and swallow every 30-60 seconds from when you feel the plane descending. I find that pushing you finger into the lower part at the back of your ear, closing you ear canal, while swallowing is the best way to even out the pressure. This is the method most pilots/flight attendants use!
Click to expand...

Hmm you make a lot of good points. It seems to be mostly landings, takeoffs are usualy not that bad, in aircraft smaller that a 737. The pilots seem to like to drop the damm things out of the sky at 4000-5000 fpm. Ive had ear issues from both a scuba diving incident and too many years of working around loud music. Ive ruptured my eardrum 3 times on my left and twice on my right. So they dont take kindly to pressure changes and even driving from 7000ft down to 2000ft I need to stop in the middle. As far as the doctors go I see my ENT doctor every time I fly an will cancel my flight if i have an ear infection on cold.
 
#11
I recently had the same thing happen on during landing. It's absolutely terrible. On the flight home I took saline spray several times during the flight, and did the holding nostril and breathing out thing. A combination of those two got me on the ground just fine.

The pain is absolutely terrible though. My head hurt for 3 days after the first landing. The only painkiller that worked was Excedrin, and even that wasn't perfect. Anyway, I would give the saline spray a try, it really opens up your airways.
 
#16
kanonfodr said:
Yup, it's so dangerous that only every scuba diver in the world learns and uses this technique, several times a dive!!

If you wish to avoid shattering of the eardrums, breathe out normally; don't force it. If it won't happen it won't happen.

Peace,
Greg
Click to expand...

Yeah...it's not that bad, I only ever had trouble once, just a little pain from blowing a bit hard cause my left ear wouldn't go even though I ascended a bit.
 
#17
kanonfodr said:
Yup, it's so dangerous that only every scuba diver in the world learns and uses this technique, several times a dive!!

If you wish to avoid shattering of the eardrums, breathe out normally; don't force it. If it won't happen it won't happen.

Peace,
Greg
Click to expand...

I didn't say it was dangerous, only that you should careful!

PADI divers are taught to first equalize by swallowing and pushing your ear canal from the outside. If that doesn't work you are taught to equalize with a gentle blow while closing your nose and as with most things in life not to force it!

As the OP has originally has had perforated ear drums he knows what I'm talking about re the pain.
 
#18
Thunderitter said:
I didn't say it was dangerous, only that you should careful!

PADI divers are taught to first equalize by swallowing and pushing your ear canal from the outside. If that doesn't work you are taught to equalize with a gentle blow while closing your nose and as with most things in life not to force it!

As the OP has originally has had perforated ear drums he knows what I'm talking about re the pain.
Click to expand...

I dive about about three times a week. I've never done any swallowing or or pushing technique. I use the nose blow method. My ears are fine. Despite the incessant hum and the voices telling me to eat the neighbors cat, they're perfectly fine.
 
#19
MakiSupaStar said:
I dive about about three times a week. I've never done any swallowing or or pushing technique. I use the nose blow method. My ears are fine. Despite the incessant hum and the voices telling me to eat the neighbors cat, they're perfectly fine.
Click to expand...

Sure you do but you don't over-blow! When you've got ear pain - possibly from an infection over-blowing can cause a perforated ear drum.

If you dive three times a week you know not to dive with a cold.
 

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