I recently flew with a head cold and experienced the worst pain in my ear ascending and descending. It felt like a screwdriver was being jammed into my ear, deeper and deeper. I was screaming in pain. I immediately went to urgent care and was told to use Afrin nose spray before flying with a cold, and Sudafed-the real stuff you have to sign for. I was put on antibiotics and steroids being I had to fly again in two days to return home, this time with a ruptured ear drum. I purchased Ear Plane, ear plugs at the drug store. I believe these were my saving grace for the return trip. I would recommend them to anyone who experiences ear pain while flying. I put them in before the cabin doors closed and left them in during the whole trip. I also chewed gum, like a cow to help keep the pressure at a minimum. Luckily, the women sitting next to me was a nurse and was compassionate and new what I was going through. I hope this helps, I wouldn't want anyone to experience this kind of pain. I saw an ENT today, he said it should heal on its own in a few months and advised me to take Musinex 600mg 2 x day, and I will be having a hearing test done in a few weeks to see if there is any permanent damage.