Introduction
That sharp, stabbing pain in your ears as the plane descends. You know the one I’m talking about, right? It feels like someone’s pushing needles through your eardrums while simultaneously squeezing your head in a vice. I’ve been there—gripping the armrest, desperately yawning, feeling like my head might actually explode.
The good news? You don’t have to suffer through it. Learning how to prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing has honestly changed my entire flying experience. No more arriving at my destination with throbbing ears and a headache that ruins the first few hours of my trip.
Here’s the thing—ear pain during flights isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s your body struggling to equalize the pressure between your middle ear and the cabin. But with a few simple tricks I’ve learned over years of travel, you can stop it before it starts. And I’m talking about methods that actually work, not just “chew gum” (though that helps too, I’ll explain why).
Whether you’re a nervous flyer or someone who travels constantly for work, these techniques will make your flights so much more comfortable. Trust me on this.
Why Do Your Ears Hurt During Takeoff and Landing Anyway?
Before we dive into how to prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing, let’s quickly understand what’s happening. Because knowing the “why” actually helps the tricks work better.
Your middle ear is an air-filled space behind your eardrum. It’s connected to your throat by a narrow tube called the Eustachian tube—fancy name, simple job. This tube is supposed to equalize pressure between your ear and the outside world.
When a plane climbs or descends, the air pressure changes rapidly. Like, really rapidly. Your Eustachian tube tries to keep up, but sometimes it can’t open fast enough. That’s when pressure builds up behind your eardrum, and boom—pain city.
Takeoff is usually easier because the pressure decreases gradually. But landing? That’s when most people struggle. The cabin pressure increases as you descend, and if your Eustachian tube doesn’t open to let air in, you get that awful blocked, painful feeling.
Kids and babies have it worse because their Eustachian tubes are narrower and more horizontal. If you’ve got a cold or allergies, your tubes are already swollen and struggling. And some people just have naturally troublesome Eustachian tubes—if that’s you, these tricks become essential.
5 Proven Tricks to Prevent Ear Pain During Takeoff and Landing
1. The Valsalva Maneuver (But Do It Correctly!)
This is probably the most effective method to prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing, but most people do it wrong. Here’s how it actually works:
Pinch your nostrils shut with your fingers. Close your mouth. Now gently—and I mean gently—try to blow air out through your nose. You should feel a little “pop” or pressure change in your ears. That’s your Eustachian tubes opening.
The key word here is gently. I made the mistake once of blowing too hard, and it felt like I’d damaged something (I probably did temporarily). You’re not trying to inflate a balloon, you’re just creating enough pressure to open those tubes.
Start doing this before your ears hurt. During descent, I do it every few minutes starting when the pilot announces we’re beginning our descent. It’s way easier to prevent ear pain than to fix it once it’s started.
Pro tip: If one ear pops but the other doesn’t, tilt your head so the blocked ear is facing down, then try again. Gravity helps sometimes.
2. The Toynbee Maneuver (Swallowing with Pinched Nose)
This one’s less known but works brilliantly, especially if the Valsalva maneuver isn’t cutting it for you.
Pinch your nose shut and swallow at the same time. That’s it. The combination of swallowing and the closed nose creates a different pressure dynamic that can help open stubborn Eustachian tubes.
I usually combine this with drinking water. Pinch nose, take a sip (awkward but effective), swallow. The multiple swallows while your nose is pinched really help prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing.
Some people find this gentler than the Valsalva maneuver, which is great if you’re worried about pushing too hard.
3. Strategic Chewing and Yawning Throughout the Flight
Okay, so “chew gum” is cliché advice, but there’s actual science behind why it helps prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing.
Every time you chew, yawn, or swallow, the muscles in your jaw activate your Eustachian tubes. It’s automatic—your body naturally tries to equalize pressure when you do these movements. So constant chewing keeps those tubes working throughout descent.
I always pack sugar-free gum specifically for flights. Start chewing about 15 minutes before landing and keep going until you’re on the ground. The chewy motion matters more than the gum itself, honestly.
Yawning is even better because it opens the tubes wider. I literally force myself to yawn repeatedly during descent. Do I look ridiculous? Probably. Do my ears hurt? Nope.
What works even better: Combine chewing with drinking. Take a sip of water, swallow while chewing gum. It’s like a triple attack on pressure buildup.
4. EarPlanes or Pressure-Regulating Earplugs
These changed my life. Seriously.
EarPlanes (or similar pressure-regulating earplugs) have a ceramic filter that slows down the pressure changes your ears experience. They cost like £8-10 or $10-15, and they’re reusable for several flights.
You put them in before takeoff and keep them in until the plane levels off. Then put them back in when the pilot announces descent. They don’t block all sound, so you can still hear announcements.
Do they completely prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing? For me, they reduce it by about 70-80%. Combined with other techniques, I rarely have ear pain anymore.
The downside? You look like you’ve got weird white plugs in your ears, and you have to remember to bring them. But honestly, who cares when your ears don’t hurt?
You can find them at most airport pharmacies if you forget, though they’re cheaper if you buy them beforehand online or at a regular drugstore.
5. Nasal Decongestant Spray Before Flying (If You’re Congested)
If you’re flying with a cold, allergies, or sinus congestion, you’re already at a huge disadvantage. Your Eustachian tubes are probably swollen and partially blocked.
Using a nasal decongestant spray about 30-60 minutes before your flight can help prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing by reducing that swelling. I use Otrivine or Afrin (oxymetazoline) when I absolutely have to fly while congested.
Important warnings though:
- Don’t use these sprays regularly—they can cause rebound congestion
- Don’t use them if you have high blood pressure without checking with a doctor first
- They’re a last resort, not a regular solution
Honestly? If you’re really congested, consider rescheduling your flight if possible. I learned this the hard way after a flight where my ears were blocked for three days afterward. Not fun.
Alternative: Oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed in the US/UK) taken an hour before flying can also help, but they make some people jittery.
Additional Tips to Prevent Ear Pain During Takeoff and Landing
Stay Hydrated Throughout Your Flight
This might seem random, but it helps. When you’re dehydrated, the mucus in your Eustachian tubes gets thicker and stickier, making it harder for them to open properly.
I drink water constantly during flights—like, annoyingly constantly. I’ll get up to fill my water bottle or ask the flight attendants for refills multiple times. Well-hydrated = better functioning Eustachian tubes.
Avoid alcohol and too much caffeine since they dehydrate you. I know, a gin and tonic sounds nice, but save it for after landing if you struggle with ear pain.
Choose Your Seat Strategically
This won’t prevent ear pain directly, but sitting over the wings means you experience slightly less turbulence and pressure variation. It’s marginal, but every little bit helps.
Also, if you can stay awake during descent, that’s better. When you’re sleeping, you’re not swallowing or moving your jaw, so your Eustachian tubes aren’t opening as often.
Don’t Fly with an Ear Infection
This should be obvious, but I’ll say it anyway: if you have an ear infection, do not fly. The pressure changes can cause serious damage, including ruptured eardrums. It’s not worth it.
Even if you just suspect an ear infection, see a doctor before your flight. They might prescribe antibiotics or advise you to postpone.
The “Otovent” Balloon Method
This is lesser-known but recommended by some ENT doctors for people with chronic ear pressure problems. It’s basically a small balloon you inflate using your nose (with your mouth closed) to force your Eustachian tubes open.
I haven’t personally needed to try this, but travelers with serious recurring ear pain swear by it. You can buy Otovent kits online—they’re primarily marketed for kids with glue ear, but adults use them too.
What to Do If You Already Have Ear Pain Mid-Flight
Okay, so prevention didn’t work, and you’re currently in agony at 35,000 feet. What now?
Try the Valsalva and Toynbee maneuvers repeatedly. Be patient and gentle. Sometimes it takes several attempts.
Yawn big and often. Force it if you have to. Combine it with jaw stretches—move your jaw side to side, forward, and in circles.
Use the hot cup trick: Ask a flight attendant for a cup of very hot water and some napkins. Put damp, hot napkins in the cup (careful—don’t burn yourself), then hold the cup over your ear. The steam and heat can help open your Eustachian tubes. It looks weird, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Stay calm. Anxiety makes you tense up, which can make things worse. Breathe slowly and remember that the pain will resolve once you land.
If the pain persists for more than a few hours after landing, or if you have hearing loss, dizziness, or fluid drainage from your ear, see a doctor. You might have barotrauma (pressure damage) that needs treatment.
Special Considerations for Kids and Babies
Parents often ask me how to prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing for their little ones, and honestly, it’s tougher because you can’t explain what to do.
For babies: Feed them or give them a pacifier during takeoff and landing. The sucking motion naturally helps equalize pressure. Time your flight around their feeding schedule if possible.
For toddlers and young kids: Teach them to yawn or blow bubbles. Give them chewy snacks or a sippy cup during descent. Make it a game—”let’s see who can yawn the biggest!”
Don’t let them sleep during landing if you can help it. The lack of swallowing while asleep makes pressure buildup worse.
Kids’ ear pain is often more severe than adults’, so take it seriously. If your child is prone to ear infections or has grommets (ear tubes), talk to their pediatrician before flying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ear pain last after flying?
For most people, ear pain resolves within 30 minutes to a few hours after landing once pressure equalizes. If it lasts longer than 24 hours, or if you experience hearing loss or severe pain, see a doctor—you might have barotrauma or an infection.
Can you prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing if you have a cold?
It’s harder but possible. Use a nasal decongestant spray 30-60 minutes before flying, stay very hydrated, and use the Valsalva/Toynbee maneuvers frequently. Honestly though, if your cold is severe, consider postponing your flight if you can.
Do earplugs help with airplane ear pressure?
Regular earplugs don’t help and might make things worse. However, special pressure-regulating earplugs like EarPlanes are designed specifically to slow down pressure changes and can significantly reduce ear pain during flights.
Why do my ears hurt more when landing than taking off?
During landing, cabin pressure increases as you descend, pushing against your eardrum from the outside. Your Eustachian tube needs to open to let air into your middle ear, which is harder than releasing air during takeoff. That’s why descent typically causes more problems.
What’s the best method to prevent ear pain on a plane?
The best approach combines multiple methods: start with pressure-regulating earplugs, chew gum constantly during descent, perform the Valsalva or Toynbee maneuver every few minutes, and stay well-hydrated. No single method works perfectly for everyone, so using several techniques together gives the best results.
Conclusion
Learning how to prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing has honestly made flying so much more enjoyable for me. I used to dread that descent announcement because I knew pain was coming. Now? I’m prepared with my gum, my EarPlanes, and my techniques ready to go.
The key is being proactive. Don’t wait until your ears hurt—start your prevention routine before the plane even begins its descent. Combine multiple methods because everyone’s ears respond differently. And remember, what works for your seatmate might not work for you, so experiment with these techniques to find your perfect combination.
Most importantly, listen to your body. If you’re congested or fighting an ear infection, seriously consider postponing your flight. A few days delay is worth protecting your hearing and avoiding potentially serious complications.
Now you’ve got the tools to fly comfortably. No more white-knuckling it through landing, no more arriving at your destination with throbbing ears. Just you, your destination, and ears that actually feel normal.
Safe travels, and may your Eustachian tubes always equalize perfectly!
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