Experiencing intense ear pain during airplane landings? Discover the cause and proven relief strategies from a trusted ENT expert.
Your Question: When I fly, I suffer severe earaches upon landing. The pain shoots through my ears and radiates to my neck. Swallowing, yawning, and chewing gum don't help. It seems worse for me than others. As a child, I had ear tubes inserted multiple times—could that be related? What can I do? —Y.B., Amsterdam
ENT Doctor's Answer: The middle ear connects to the outside via the Eustachian tube, which stays closed at rest. Swallowing opens it briefly, allowing ventilation and equalizing pressure with the surrounding air. If the tube doesn't function well, negative pressure builds in the middle ear, pulling the eardrum inward. Over time, this can lead to fluid accumulation instead of air—likely why you needed ear tubes as a child.
During flights, rapid pressure changes challenge the middle ear. Poor Eustachian tube function creates painful negative pressure. Unfortunately, no surgery fixes tube function directly. However, using short-acting nasal decongestant drops like Otrivin before flying can reduce mucosal swelling, improve airflow through the tube, and help equalize pressure effectively.
