What to do if your ears are blocked on a plane
Clogged ears are a problem that many people encounter when flying, especially during takeoff and landing. Changes in air pressure can cause an imbalance in the pressure inside and outside the eardrum, causing discomfort. In the past 10 days, there has been a lot of discussion on the Internet about "ear plugging on airplanes". The following is a collection of relevant hot topics and solutions.
1. Hot topic data on the entire network in the past 10 days

| topic | Search volume (daily average) | Main discussion platform |
|---|---|---|
| Reasons for plugged ears on airplanes | 5,200 times | Baidu, Zhihu |
| Solutions to blocked ears on airplanes | 8,700 times | Xiaohongshu, Douyin |
| What to do if a child’s ears are plugged on a plane | 3,500 times | Parenting forum, WeChat |
| Recommended airplane earplugs | 2,800 times | Taobao, JD.com |
2. Reasons why ears become clogged on airplanes
The main cause of clogged ears on airplanes is changes in air pressure. When an airplane ascends or descends, the air pressure inside and outside the cabin changes rapidly. If the pressure inside and outside the eardrum is unbalanced, it will cause the ear to feel blocked or even painful. Here are some common reasons:
1.Eustachian tube dysfunction: The Eustachian tube is the passage that connects the middle ear and the throat. If it does not function well and cannot adjust the pressure in time, it will cause the ears to become blocked.
2.cold or rhinitis: Nasal obstruction will affect the opening of the Eustachian tube and aggravate ear discomfort.
3.Take a flight after diving or swimming: After activities in the water, moisture may remain in the ear canal, making it easier to get ear blockage when flying.
3. Solutions to blocked ears on airplanes
Regarding the problem of ear plugging on airplanes, various solutions have been mentioned in discussions across the Internet. The following are the ones with better results:
| method | Applicable people | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| swallow or chew | adults, children | quick relief |
| Pinch nose and blow air | adult | Efficient |
| Use earplugs | adults, children | preventive effect |
| yawn | adult | natural relief |
| Nasal spray (for rhinitis patients) | adults, children | long term remission |
4. What to do if a child’s ears are blocked on a plane?
Children are more likely to have blocked ears because their Eustachian tubes are not fully developed. Here are solutions for kids:
1.Feed or drink water: Let the baby suck the bottle or drink water during takeoff and landing, which can promote swallowing and relieve ear discomfort.
2.Use children's earplugs: There are flight earplugs on the market specially designed for children, which can slow down the impact of air pressure changes.
3.Avoid flying while sleeping: Children swallow less frequently during sleep and are more likely to have their ears blocked. Try to choose to fly while awake.
5. Suggestions on preventing ear congestion on airplanes
In addition to temporary solutions, you can prevent clogged ears by:
1.Avoid catching a cold before flying: Try to avoid flying when you have a cold, or use nasal spray in advance to relieve nasal congestion.
2.Choose a suitable flight time: The air pressure changes faster on short-haul flights and is more likely to cause ear discomfort. You can choose a flight with a stopover.
3.Use pressure-adjusting earplugs: This type of earplugs can slowly adjust the pressure inside and outside the ear canal to reduce discomfort.
6. Summary
Clogged ears on airplanes are a common problem, but can be effectively alleviated with the right methods. Whether you are an adult or a child, you can choose the appropriate solution based on your situation. If the ear plugging lasts for a long time or is accompanied by pain, it is recommended to seek medical examination in time.
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