Why do our ears ache when you travel by an airplane?

Answer 1

The air pressure in the cabin of the airplane changes slightly as it goes up and down, just as the air pressure in a car changes when it drives up into the mountains or back down towards the beach. The changes set up different pressures on the inside and outside of the eardrum, making the ears feel "stuffed" and interfering with hearing.

In most people, the eustachian tubes (small tubes inside the head that connect the middle ear with the mouth and nose) open from time to time to let air in or out of the middle ear, which equalizes the pressure and produces a popping sound. However, in some people, these tubes refuse to open, and then the pressure builds up and produces pain in the ears. In the worst case, the eardrums may rupture, but usually it just produces severe pain. This condition is called ear block.

It's not a health risk (unless it's bad enough to rupture the eardrum), but it's not pleasant. It is often worse on the way down than it was on the way up.

You can help avoid it by pinching your nose shut, closing your mouth, exhaling into your mouth and nose, and then swallowing. This tends to open the eustachian tubes to equalize the pressure.

If you have problems every time you fly, ask your doctor about it. There may be something he can do to fix the problem. Sometimes taking a decongestant before a flight helps, but usually only if the problem is due to a cold or flu.