I get terrible ear pain on descent. I understand this is the result of a failure of my Eustachian tubes to equalise the pressure at the inner ear. Similar problems with equalising when snorkelling below a couple of metres.

My GP tells me the solution is to take a decongestant, chew chewing gum during the whole flight, and blow out with my nose blocked (Valsalva Manoeuvre). I have done these things with very limited success.

Anyone have any thoughts about more advanced solutions, or perhaps the best decongestant?

Otovent balloons maybe??

pretty sure you can get pressure equalising ear plugs as well…

I’ve seen them at airport pharmacies – where’s poik when you need someone at the counter??

Rule 303 said:

I get terrible ear pain on descent. I understand this is the result of a failure of my Eustachian tubes to equalise the pressure at the inner ear. Similar problems with equalising when snorkelling below a couple of metres.

My GP tells me the solution is to take a decongestant, chew chewing gum during the whole flight, and blow out with my nose blocked (Valsalva Manoeuvre). I have done these things with very limited success.

Anyone have any thoughts about more advanced solutions, or perhaps the best decongestant?

Earplanes

They work apparently, I’ve never had such problems.

diddly-squat said:

pretty sure you can get pressure equalising ear plugs as well…

I’ve seen them at airport pharmacies – where’s poik when you need someone at the counter??

There’s a lot of labour involved in making a few dollars per piece of paper and sticker…

poikilotherm said:

diddly-squat said:

pretty sure you can get pressure equalising ear plugs as well…

I’ve seen them at airport pharmacies – where’s poik when you need someone at the counter??

There’s a lot of labour involved in making a few dollars per piece of paper and sticker…

so the Pharmacy Guild would have us believe…

poikilotherm said:

Earplanes

They work apparently, I’ve never had such problems.

Cheers.

Any thoughts on best decongestant for ears?

Rule 303 said:

poikilotherm said:

Earplanes

They work apparently, I’ve never had such problems.

Cheers.

Any thoughts on best decongestant for ears?

Worth a try, don’t seem to be as effective as the plugs from what I’ve heard though.

FWIW, it’s possible to learn to open your Eustachian tubes at will. People who SCUBA dive frequently learn it almost by accident. That probably doesn’t help you, though.

btm said:

FWIW, it’s possible to learn to open your Eustachian tubes at will. People who SCUBA dive frequently learn it almost by accident. That probably doesn’t help you, though.

I’ve been taught that. Doesn’t work. Small Eustachian tubes. Probably should have had grommets as a kid.

Rule 303 said:

btm said:

FWIW, it’s possible to learn to open your Eustachian tubes at will. People who SCUBA dive frequently learn it almost by accident. That probably doesn’t help you, though.

I’ve been taught that. Doesn’t work. Small Eustachian tubes. Probably should have had grommets as a kid.

Maybe a saline spray into the nostrils daily would help.

Sometimes I get massive pain in an eye, on landing, and it feels like is is going to explode. The only way to get some relief is to use the palm of my hand and apply pressure – doesn’t completely stop it but it feels like it helps. This doesn’t really address your query, I was just sharing an anecdote…

Have you seen an ENT?

kii said:

Have you seen an ENT?

Not about this issue.

• Have you seen an ENT?

kii said:

Have you seen an ENT?

I see one Dr Treebeard he is very good

kii said:

Have you seen an ENT?

not sure Treebeard can help with this one

A simple solution, attributed to military pilots, and I can vouch for as a retired glider pilot, place your little fingers in your ears, and pull down firmly when you are experiencing discomfort, you may have to alter slightly the direction that you are pulling don’t quite how or why this works exactly, but I do know it has always worked for me, good luck.

Rule 303 said:

I get terrible ear pain on descent. I understand this is the result of a failure of my Eustachian tubes to equalise the pressure at the inner ear. Similar problems with equalising when snorkelling below a couple of metres.

My GP tells me the solution is to take a decongestant, chew chewing gum during the whole flight, and blow out with my nose blocked (Valsalva Manoeuvre). I have done these things with very limited success.

Anyone have any thoughts about more advanced solutions, or perhaps the best decongestant?

I used to have this problem, but not recently. A big no-no for me is alcohol. Alcohol makes the problem worse.

The best decongestant no longer exists. All the current ones are hopeless.

Rule 303 said:

I get terrible ear pain on descent. I understand this is the result of a failure of my Eustachian tubes to equalise the pressure at the inner ear. Similar problems with equalising when snorkelling below a couple of metres.

My GP tells me the solution is to take a decongestant, chew chewing gum during the whole flight, and blow out with my nose blocked (Valsalva Manoeuvre). I have done these things with very limited success.

Anyone have any thoughts about more advanced solutions, or perhaps the best decongestant?

blocked left ear

pinch your nose and push your right ear closed

gently force air into your closed mouth, your left ear will most likely release, if it hurts stop doing it

take some sudafed that will dry you up

stop drinking milk its making you produce too much mucus – find out if allergies are makign you produce excess mucus

Update: Used a generic nasal spray decongestant and chewing gum and valsalva maneuver with 100% success on two flights so far. Happy with that.

I don’t have ear pain, but today coming back from Hobart today I felt very, very deaf. The plane seemed to be inordinately noisy for a good part of the way. I do have fairly good hearing as a rule.