She smiled, turning up the radio. She had landed in Chicago with the hearing of a bat. The flight home, she decided, would be different. She’d buy the spray at the airport. She’d chew gum during descent. And she’d never, ever underestimate the power of a hot cup of water and a gentle swallow.
Before we dive into the solutions, it's essential to understand why ears pop after flying. When you're on a plane, the air pressure changes, causing the air in your ears to expand and contract. This can lead to a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ears. If the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, doesn't open properly, the pressure difference can cause the eardrum to bulge, leading to discomfort. how do you pop ears after flying
Because popping your ears isn't about force. It's about finesse. And now, Maya was a master of the silent, sky-high squeeze. She smiled, turning up the radio
Deplaning was a surreal experience. She could feel the rumble of the jetway under her feet, but the sound was a dull thud. She pulled out her phone and typed into a notes app to show the rental car agent: “I’m not ignoring you. My ears are blocked.” She’d buy the spray at the airport
Maya walked to her rental car, her ears perfectly clear. She texted Earl a thank you through the rental app. But as she drove, she thought about his final piece of advice: “If those don’t work, don’t force it. Go to a pharmacy and get a decongestant nasal spray (like oxymetazoline). Use one spray per nostril, wait 15 minutes, then try the steps again. And next time you fly with a cold, use the spray 30 minutes before descent.”
If your ears are already clogged after landing, do not panic. These methods can help unlock them: Airplane ear - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic