1) Nasal/sinus decongestant, e.g., Pseudoephedrine (found in cold medication like Advil Cold and Sinus).

2) The Valsalva Maneuver. "Just pinch your nose and close your mouth while forcibly exhaling through your nostrils. The popping noise you hear can help equalize the pressure inside your ear. Use the Valsalva maneuver periodically, he suggests, especially during ascent and descent." Used in diving and savvy airplane folk.

3) The combination of the Valsalva and moving your jaw every which way usually will equalize the pressure.

4) Yawn.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/colum...grossman_x.htm