Originally Posted by
negs
Omnivore mentioned FlightMate ear plugs. Another brand is Ear Planes.
In any event, there was a time when I couldn't fly without *MAJOR* ear problems. Yawning, chewing gum, drinking sips of water, taking a decongestant all helped somewhat...but, since the very first time I tried Ear Planes or FlightMates, I've *never* had a problem.
(I joke now with friends that I won't even drive past an airport without them!)
If you use this kind of ear plug, the trick is, IT MUST BE IN PLACE IN YOUR EAR BEFORE THE PLANE LEAVES THE GROUND! It does absolutely no good to wait until you have a ear problem to put them in.
Good luck!
Yep put them in before it leaves the ground. I do it as soon as I'm settled in my seat, that way I know they're in, and I won't take them out until the plane is cruising, on a short flight (less than 2hrs) I'll usually just leave them in the whole time.
I have NEVER had a problem wearing these but have had immense suffering even after doing the other things.
I hear you about wearing them in other situations, I sometimes consider wearing them on my train trip to Sydney (lots of tunnels). I went up the Eureka tower in Melbourne with a friend, and the lift went fast so got to ear popping territory, my friend said to me "you should have brought your earplugs with you"