One of the main issues with air travel is that the pressure inside the cabin is a little bit different to what we are used to in our daily lives. Although the air is pressurised inside most passenger aircraft except for smaller planes or helicopters , the air pressure is slightly lower than usual. As the plan takes off, the pressure of the air outside your body drops a little.
This can cause problems for your ears because they contain a small amount of air in the middle ear. The air inside your middle ear will be at higher pressure than the air in the surrounding cabin. Some of the air will therefore need to be released through the Eustachian tube. You might hear your ears pop as this happens. When the plane is on the way down, the pressure will change again in the opposite way.
The air pressure in the cabin will increase so that it is higher than the pressure inside your middle ear. Air needs to be drawn in through the Eustachian tube in order to equalise the pressure again. This is usually harder than releasing air during take-off, so if you notice any problems with your ears failing to pop properly it is more likely to be when you are landing. Another issue that can occur when you are flying is that the noise of the engines can make any hearing issues more difficult.
You might struggle to hear over the background noise, even if you have a hearing aid. If you suffer from tinnitus, it could also be exacerbated by the loud environment. Wearing ear plugs and asking for a seat away from the engines may help. Ear infections can cause inflammation and a build-up of fluid inside your ears. This can affect the Eustachian tubes that connect your middle ear to the outside world. In severe cases, this can actually be quite painful. You could also experience muffled hearing because the eardrum can be sucked inwards if the pressure inside your ears becomes lower than the surrounding air.
Sometimes it is possible to overcome these problems by yawning, sucking on a sweet, or swallowing. The middle ear includes three small bones — the hammer malleus , anvil incus and stirrup stapes. The middle ear is separated from your external ear by the eardrum and connected to the back of your nose and throat by a narrow passageway called the eustachian tube.
The cochlea, a snail-shaped structure, is part of your inner ear. Airplane ear occurs when the air pressure in the middle ear and the air pressure in the environment don't match, preventing your eardrum tympanic membrane from vibrating normally. A narrow passage called the eustachian tube, which is connected to the middle ear, regulates air pressure. When an airplane climbs or descends, the air pressure changes rapidly.
The eustachian tube often can't react fast enough, which causes the symptoms of airplane ear. Swallowing or yawning opens the eustachian tube and allows the middle ear to get more air, equalizing the air pressure.
You may also experience a minor case of barotrauma while riding an elevator in a tall building or driving in the mountains. Any condition that blocks the eustachian tube or limits its function can increase the risk of airplane ear. Common risk factors include:. Airplane ear usually isn't serious and responds to self-care. Long-term complications can rarely occur when the condition is serious or prolonged or if there's damage to middle or inner ear structures. In a Valsalva maneuver, you gently blow your nose while pinching your nostrils and keeping your mouth closed.
The Eustachian tube provides a connection from the back of the nose to the ear and allows equalisation of pressure changes. Normally gentle swallowing, yawning or popping the ears allows this tube to open and the ear is protected. When the tube is not functioning properly equalisation does not occur and a degree of discomfort felt.
The commonest exacerbating factor is a simple cold where the nose becomes congested. Some people have long standing problems with their Eustachian tubes and can have problems without any other exacerbating events. The following are simple manoeuvres that in a vast majority of cases prevent problems when flying.
Auto-inflation exercises. Chewing and swallowing on ascent and descent.
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