Flying with blocked ears
 

Hi all,

I am due to fly in 11 days time. I currently have blocked ears, like when I swallow or open my mouth they crackle/crunch not sure how else to explain. I'm worried about flying as I have quite bad tinnitus already. Am I safe to fly? As I've heard people say never fly with blocked ears, but I've bought ear planes and I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do to help?

Are burst ear drums very common on flights?

Thanks.

Sounds like you should make an appointment with a doctor and have them take a look.

Flying with blocked ears
 

See the doc if you're concerned.

I plan to on Wednesday :) I'm just gutted as I've been looking forward to this and spent a lot of money, to cancel it would be horrible.

Flying with blocked ears
 

Go hit a minute clinic or something similar. I had this three weeks ago and after I flew I was blocked for a day until I got some stuff to clear me up. Not worth it to try and gut it out without anything.

See a doc!

If your ears can't equalize pressure you can have a ruptured ear drum from flying.

Flying with blocked ears
 

See a doctor - sounds like fluid in your ear from a cold or infection that they would give antibiotics for to drain and release pressure. It's something I think the local minute clinic or nurse practitioner can write a script for

It might just be wax build up. If that is the case, the doc can clean them out quite easily.

Welcome to FT. As everyone has said and what you plan to do - see your doc. Hopefully and ENT. You will probably be fine.

FWIW Years ago I had the same issue. The doc gave me a decongestant in the office, I waited 30 minutes, after that he stuck a tube up my nose, pinched it, then had me say the letter K over and over while he blew air into my sinuses. My ear cracked and cracked but that relieved the pressure.

Why are they blocked. If its a cold, you're talking about 11 days away. There are decongestants you can use to clear them up . See an MD

Flying with blocked ears
 

Or get a netti pot

After the doc/ clinic fix your ears.....do carry and. Hew gum during climb out and descent. Although do not bring a pack of gum if going to Singapore !

I had a similar problem coming back from RAR (I got water stuck in my left ear from too much snorkling). It was annoying, the journey home very long but I wasn't in any pain. The GP sorted it out once I got home.

H

Do go to your doctor.

I was a little congested and flew last week. I didn't even know my ears were blocked but I was in so much pain in my ears when my two flights started decent, I almost cried. It sucked. I talked to my doctor when I was back and turned out it was indeed congestion and the pain could had been easily prevented.

There have been a few posts on FT about medical things.

go see a doctor, not a website.

Go see a doctor.

That said, I frequently end up with a lot of congestion in the form of post nasal drip, coughing, sinus and ear pressure after being sick (and sometimes for no reason at all it seems).

My ritual:
1. Afrin nasal spray 2x per day for 3 days on, 3 days off for 2 weeks.
2. Mucinex DM 2x day for 2 weeks.
3. Usually paired with antibiotics 2x per day for 2 weeks as prescribed by my ENT.

Steamy hot showers with a warm wash cloth over my face doesn't hurt either.

If, after 2 weeks I still feel congested (usually not), rinse and repeat for 2 more weeks.

Good luck.

You'll be amazed how much better you feel once things start draining.

After being sick you don't need antibiotics. Your ENT should have their head examined. Also, Musinex DM includes something to control couch which you're not having so it's overkill for you.

Netti pots don't work on ears now do they? Really bad advice.

If you travel a lot, throwing a decongestant in your bag isn't a bad idea. Better to have and not need.

It's a fine line in using something to clear up congestion. They can overdry your mucous membranes so you need to typically use less than the desired dose. It's idea if you play around with them before the flight. Essentially you want as little as possible to ease the congesion.

The reason why I'm on so Mucinex is because of a constant, dry, unproductive cough caused by a thick mucous that's not going anywhere.

But thanks for the medical advice.

Next time I have a bacterial sinus infection that ends up in me developing post nasal drip I'll tell my ENT to go have his head examined for prescribing antibiotics.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I flew in a similar state as a teen. Perforated eardrum meant I had to miss out on the family annual trip to Disney.

Not worth the risk.

Went to the ENT doctor for a similar issue a few years ago (fluid in ear, crackle sound). He prescribed an oral steroid and a nasal steroid (Flonase, which is now available OTC).

It's best to consult a doctor before flying with blocked ears, especially if you have tinnitus. Burst eardrums can occur but are not common. Using earplanes and yawning/swallowing can help relieve pressure.