TRAVEL
middle ears adjust more easily
when cabin pressure reduces a
little. However, when
descending for landing, cabin
pressure increases and middle
ear pressure does not selfadjust so easily. Passengers
will usually feel pressure in
their ears and experience
reduced hearing but, in healthy
ears, this can be quickly
cleared by swallowing a few
times or even yawning to open
the Eustachian tubes thus
allowing air into the middle
ears to normalise the pressure
and for hearing to return to
normal. The same applies if air
turbulence causes quite rapid
changes in an aircraft’s
altitude.
How to protect your ears
and your hearing from
cabin pressure changes
A few simple precautions can
prevent damage to your ears
and your hearing from cabin
pressure changes:Q Avoid flying when
suffering from a head cold or
from chronic nasal congestion.
This can be very dangerous
and risks eardrum rupture
from a barotraumas. If
intending to fly when you are
suffering from significant nasal
congestion, you should consult
your GP who may able to
prescribe some medication
such as a nasal decongestant.
Q Use earplugs during takeoff and landing, especially the
latter, to minimise the effects
of pressure changes on your
ears. Unless wearing earplugs
throughout the flight, if the
need for seat belts is
announced due to turbulence,
insert your earplugs.
Q Certainly during the
descent for landing, but may
be needed for take-off as well,
swallow regularly to keep
middle ear pressure the same
as the gradually changing
cabin pressure. If it helps, suck
on a sweet or to take sips of
water. Yawning can also have
the same beneficial effect.
Q Children are especially
prone to the effects of cabin
pressure changes. So, the
above advice about sucking on
a sweet or drinking will keep
them swallowing and,
hopefully, comfortable
throughout landing and takeoff. If possible, they should use
earplugs designed for use by
children but it is important
that they fit well enough to seal
both ear canals.
Eve