Earplanes are useless
 

I am so turned off by this product that I feel I have to warn others to not waste money on them.

I will first say that I am not using this for the putative air pressure / ear pain issue that they claim to remedy. Which, by the way, I am highly skeptical of in its own right - how exactly does a loosely fitting earplug with "a proprietary CeramX filter" cause air pressure differences to be reduced / alleviated?

No, instead I'm griping about the 20 dB noise reduction function that the box claims to offer. I found these no better than putting some tissue paper in one's ears - and worse even, because they force your ear canals to bulge in a painful way. These are basically hollow silicone plastic plugs with an open channel filled with a plug of white material. They block little to no noise whatsoever.

I suggest that you don't waste your money on these, and buy a 25c pair of foam earplugs instead.

/publicserviceannouncement

How are they for ear pressure issues, though? I was about to post n this - I just flew back after catching a cold. I thought about delaying my return but figured it would only get worse for a few days so decided to fly. I didn't get pain, but my ear drums have not popped yet after two days. Of course I also have a terrible head cold so that is another reason. But I thought about investing in a pair just in case for future trips.

My wife tried them, they didn't help her.

I have no experience on how they work for ear pressure because I do not have this problem, but I am skeptical nonetheless.

I cannot explain how they would practically work for ear pressure issues, other than to expand the ear canal and somehow aid the equalization of pressure by unblocking something.

But the idea they seem to want to promote (given the dubious ceramic filters) is that the earplanes somehow "meter" or slow the air pressure difference that your ear experiences. I find this implausible because the seal around your ear canal is so weak that even if it did delay any air pressure difference, at some point it would actually result in a greater pressure difference being experienced when you do move your jaw, ears, or anything like that.

If anyone has alternative explanations I'm very open to learning, but for now I regard these as total hucksterism for that purpose -- and otherwise a ripoff for the purpose of noise reduction.

there are generic ones at pharmacy/grocery, never buy at airport

i usually experience the noise reduction, and seem to notice some re pressure

Work For Me
 

I have no idea how they work, but for me they significantly reduce ear pain. I don't experience ear pain on all flights, but when I do I am so glad I have these things. You need to insert them about 30 minutes before landing. The directions say to dispose of them after using twice; not sure why--I keep mine longer and they continue to work. Yes, they also reduce noise--when I have them in my ears I cannot hear/understand anyone around me.

For the small price they cost, if you ever experience ear pain when landing, definitely worth a try.

For me ear wax removal drops have always helped relieve the pressure. Just a tiny drop in each ear but I will caution that you should carry a tissue or use a partial cotton ball or the cheap foam ear plugs. I usually use the drops before landing with the ear plugs because I have always experienced middle ear pain which can cause a sinus headache.