Ear pressure is something every airplane passenger should try and avoid. However, colds, allergies and flying can easily contribute to that uncomfortable ear pressure which can eventually turn into severe ear pain. I can speak from firsthand experience about flying with an ear infection and the pain that accompanies it. The pain I experienced was so severe I ended up crouched on the galley floor – I was working the flight – crying in pain. There was nothing that would help.
While I suffered from the agony of ear pain, negative ear pressure can also trigger headaches, dizziness, hearing loss and fluid build-up behind the eardrum (Otitis media with effusion).
Luckily, today there is a product called Ear Popper and it’s unlike anything else on the market. It looks like a nose spray bottle, but the results are so much more. Ear Popper is designed to balance pressure in the middle ear by delivering a safe, constant stream of air into the nasal cavity. When the user swallows the air opens the Eustachian Tube and clears the middle ear which then relieves negative ear pressure and allows any fluids to drain.
Fortunately, I haven’t needed to use Ear Popper yet but I do know people who have and they say it works wonders. The good news is, the Ear Popper isn’t just for flying. People can use it in their daily lives or while participating in other travel activities such as swimming, scuba diving or driving through mountains and it’s safe for children.
Ear Popper isn’t an over the counter product which means you must receive a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. If you don’t have an Ear Popper yet, here are some ear popping tips on how to help ear pressure while flying:
Don’t fly. Of course, avoiding ear pain all together should be your first goal. People should never fly with an ear infection, when they are sick or just getting over a cold. The pressure can increase in flight and you may end up with a ruptured eardrum.
Get doctor’s clearance after being sick. Don’t be surprised if you feel as if the illness has passed but your doctor recommends you postpone your trip a couple of days because your ear hasn’t healed yet. On the other hand, don’t avoid the doctor because you assume he will ground you. You ears may be just fine to fly. Whatever the case, it’s best for your health to get a professional opinion before hitting the skies.
Self-help. If you do fly and feel a little congestion, chew gum, suck on a mint, thrust your jaw or hold you nose and gently blow to help relieve ear pressure. You may have to pop your ears repetitively.
Medication. Sudafed worked on occasion for me when I was a flight attendant and could feel a cold coming on when I was across the country from my hone. But as soon as the medication wore off my ears clogged again. Nose spray can also help temporarily.
Help the babies. Also, don’t let the little ones fly with a cold. Even for routine flights, give your baby a bottle or pacifiers during take-off and landing.
Be prepared for descent. Once you get in the air ear pressure should subside, it’s when the plane starts to descend that the pain starts to build and build until you can’t take it anymore – this will be when Ear Popper really comes in handy.
Invest in Ear Popper. For those with chronic ear problems and even those who only have the occasional congestion, ear pressure or pain will be pleased to use this solution that will help ear pressure when flying. I can think back to dozens if not hundreds of passengers, flight attendants and pilots who could have benefited from this unique and much needed relief. I think Ear Popper is going to change the way passengers and crew fly. And it’s about time we hear some positive news about air travel.