Correct use of flight ear plugs?

[cookiedough86]

Sorry for the extremely dull topic!

I Went to Santorini 4 years ago using boots flight ear plugs, fantastic not one issue.

Flew to Paris in Feb and used ear planes. I Was almost crying on decent coming back and then my hearing took 10 days to come back in my left ear. Made me so panicky!

I’ve read loads on here but can’t find the answer to my question.
My question is. Do people put the earplugs in before the cabin door is closed or after? I know to put them in an hour before descent and leave them until the door is opened it’s just the going up part I need help with? I want to make sure I do it correctly this time to try and avoid all of this ear drama as it’s stressing me out.

It will be my 2 year old DS first flight and I also have my 6 year DD whose ears also hurt her on flights to contend with.

Any other tips gratefully received x

If you need help during the ascent then put them in at some point before takeoff. It doesn't matter about the door being shut or not - the air pressure doesn't change at that point. It reduces gradually after you take off, basically at about a fifth of the rate of change of external pressure (so that at 35,000 feet the pressure in the plane is like being on top of a 7,000 foot mountain). The pain is caused by the rapid transition to or from 7,000 feet - mostly when coming down, but also when going up for some people - and the earplugs work by buffering that to some extent.

Thank you so much for explaining that!

I thought the doors being shut had something to do with it and thought I must have put them in at the wrong time last time. Glad I asked now. Fingers crossed for an easier flight 🤞🏼