Ganesh Prasad Ganesh Prasad Asked 7 months ago

How to reduce ear pain during flight?

I have a flight coming up next week, and usually, my ears hurt a lot during takeoff and landing. It's quite painful and uncomfortable. What are some tricks or methods to reduce ear pain during flight?

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7 answers

Amrita Roy Amrita Roy Joined May 2026 5 months ago
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I absolutely dread flying because of that horrible ear pressure, it honestly feels like my ears will burst during landing and it makes me so anxious. If you feel like crying from the pain, please know you are not alone. It is a very real and painful physical struggle.

Sanjay Menon Sanjay Menon Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago

I am not a doctor, but personally, chewing gum or swallowing saliva continuously during descent helps me a lot. It keeps the Eustachian tube open so the pressure changes don't hurt as much. My family also uses special earplugs made for flying.

Ritu Sharma Ritu Sharma Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago

Chronic sinus congestion or even fluid buildup linked to overall health issues can make flight ear pain worse. If this happens on every flight, it is best to visit an ENT specialist before your next travel. They can check your nasal passages properly.

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Nikhil Deshmukh Nikhil Deshmukh Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

I just flew back from Delhi last week and had severe ear blockage. I tried the yawning trick and forced myself to swallow water during takeoff and landing, which worked wonders. It is all about equalizing that cabin pressure at the right time.

Sunita Rao Sunita Rao Joined Jan 2026 7 months ago

Please be very careful with severe ear pressure. Once, I flew with a heavy cold and ended up with a small tear in my eardrum due to the pressure. If you have a severe cold, consult an ENT doctor before boarding for proper decongestant advice.

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Vikram Adve Vikram Adve Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago

For frequent flyers, keeping track of your sinus health is essential. Using a simple saline nasal spray about 30 minutes before descent can help open up your airways, making it much easier for your ears to adjust to the pressure changes.

Prakash G Prakash G Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Totally agree. Sucking on a hard candy or lozenge also works great to keep you swallowing continuously during the flight.

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