Why Do My Ears Ring in an Airplane? An Audiologist Explains

Traveling to your next destination is always something to look forward to — especially if you booked a lavish hotel or have a new carry-on bag to show off. But if there’s anything worse than being on a flight with limited leg room or bumpy turbulence, it’s “airplane ear.”

Medically referred to as “ear barotrauma,” airplane ear is the painful ringing of the ear that sometimes happens when a flight is ascending or descending. (So, yes, if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why do my ears ring in an airplane?” this is the answer.)

Most people familiar with the irritating sensation know that airplane ear can be more than just a minor annoyance, though. In some cases, it can absolutely wreak havoc on your eardrums. While it may fade quickly for some, others are left with a lingering pain in their ears that can take hours to disappear.

To avoid flying in discomfort, audiologist Sarah Lundstrom explains more on airplane ear and how to prevent ear pain on your next flight.

Experts Featured in This Article

Sarah Lundstrom is an audiologist who is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, a member of Florida Academy of Audiology, and a member of the American Board of Audiology. She is also a doctor at HearCare Audiology.

What Is Airplane Ear?

Also known as ear barotrauma, airplane ear is what happens when the “ear is plugged up due to pressure changes when flying,” Dr. Lundstrom explains. Though most cases of airplane ear will resolve on their own when the plane lands, it can be painful for those who already have ear infections or are sensitive to ear pressure, she adds.

The good news is that while airplane ear does create some discomfort, it is not something that’s going to completely blow out your eardrums. In fact, Dr. Lundstrom says an eardrum rupture is “very unlikely.” That said, if it starts to feel more than uncomfortable, there are some preventative measures you can take to prevent airplane ear from happening on your next flight.

Why Do My Ears Ring in an Airplane?

The reason you may experience ear pain in an airplane is because of the change in air pressure. “When there is a change in external air pressure, like on a plane or when scuba diving, that causes the eardrum to push in and the eustachian tube to close,” Dr. Lundstrom explains. “This causes a pressure build up in the middle ear which can become painful.”

This doesn’t just occur on an airplane, however. As Dr. Lundstrom mentioned, you can experience this pain in your ear while scuba diving or even in an elevator with many floors.

How to Prevent Ear Pain on Airplane

In order to combat the dreaded airplane ear, you have a few options. According to Dr. Lundstrom, you can chew gum or suck on candy during the flight in order to help keep the “middle ear and eustachian tube moving and open,” she says. If you don’t happen to have gum or candy on you though, don’t panic. “During flight, you can also try swallowing, yawning, or plugging your nose and blowing air to help force your eustachian tube to open and relieve the pressure,” Dr. Lundstrom adds.

If these remedies don’t seem to help, Dr. Lundstrom recommends taking a decongestant like Sudafed Sinus Congestion ($13) or Mucinex Sinus-Max ($11) before your next flight. “These can help reduce fluid or swelling so there is more room and less pressure internally,” she adds.

Ultimately, airplane ear doesn’t have to completely ruin the beginning of your vacation. By managing your symptoms with Dr. Lundstrom’s advice, you can focus less on the pain in your ear and more on the important things: what you’ll wear, what you’ll eat, and what you’ll post on Instagram.

Taylor Andrews is a Balance editor at PS who specializes in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, and more.