How to stop painful ears when flying ?

[sinkygall]

Just got to my destination and it was awful.
As we were descending my ears felt clogged and I couldn't hear but the worst was intense sharp pain in my ears....they wouldn't pop even tho I was yawning and swallowing.
As soon as we got near the ground they popped.
I'm dreading flight home
What can I do to stop the pain?

You can buy special ear plugs in boots that stop it from happening!

I used to really suffer every time

The combination of special earplugs plus sudafed decongestant on the day of flying has been a game changer

I think some people are just more susceptible to it. You could try taking a decongestant or antihistamine.

Also, don't drink alcohol before or during the flight. That might help too.

As soon as you notice the pressure starting, hold your nose tight shut with your fingers and blow as hard as possible. Do that several times throughout the descent before it gets painful each time. I used to get terribly painful ears on a plane descent, not had it once since I started equalising. But do get the earbuds things if you’d rather have a product instead - I would end up with one more thing to lose.

My son has problems with his ears and he purchased a machine which was recommended by his doctors. www.earpopper.com/
It helps him a lot

I know this message is a few months old but I've just signed up to this again after 11 years 🤣 I've not found anyone else online who has mentioned the word scared about a flight. I'm petrified. Purely for this half hour of Stabbing pain in my ears. No one I've met in real life seems to have it. I literally am in tears and rock backwards and forwards in my seat (I've had tattoos and 4 children and never felt this pain) and most flight destinations cause me to be deaf for 2 days of the holiday. Have you found a cure for this yet? My doctor won't help.

I have a cure ! ISH !!

I've had it years on landing , literal pain that makes me cry and rock!

My doctor told me to use a decongestant nasal spray and the pills together day of flight , I also take the pill the night before too .

They aren't meant to encourage you to do both in the pharmacy apparently - but it's the only thing that keeps me pain free .

Speak to another doctor .

I usually do some popping throughout the day and during the flight , holding nose and blowing them out also to ensure they are clearing

The air plugs do help also

You've probably got sensitive/smaller/blocked eustachian tubes
I'd echo what others say - do the popping technique (i think its called something like Valsalva manoeuvre), yawn, suck sweets (they used to hand them round on flights!) and take decongestants
Maybe check with the doctor whether you've got something that makes you particularly susceptible?