Originally Posted by flymeaway
Ear block is nasty, nasty, nasty....my left ear drum actually perforated on a flight once, years ago, before I ever started flying for a living. It was really one of the worst pains I've experienced - and now I have some permanent hearing loss on that side. Yuck! Take care of your ears!
Yup, I did the same thing - ruptured both ear drums flying with a cold. Took almost 7 years for the pain to stop - yes, I really do mean SEVEN YEARS - every single time I swallowed, I felt sharp pain in my ears. I have permenent loss of low tones in one ear due to the damage. For years I carried a letter from my doctor stating that I could not fly with head congestion and requesting airlines allow me to reschedule flights for medical reasons if needed. Actually used it once long ago - I pointed out to UA that I was probably contagious as well as congested and they changed my ticket no charge. Doubt it would work these days, tho.
But I can't think of a single reason that could induce me to fly with congestion again - doc said next time I rupture an eardrum, I could lose the rest of my hearing.