How to Relieve the Feeling of Ear Blockage After Flying?

When flying in an airplane, once the plane takes off, the air pressure on the ground and at high altitudes is different, which can easily cause some discomfort to the ears. However, when the plane flies smoothly, the air pressure disappears, and the ears will return to normal. So what are some tips to relieve ear pressure discomfort during a flight? Here are a few methods:

Continuous swallowing helps maintain the balance of air pressure inside and outside the ears.

If you experience ear pain during a flight, you can choose to chew gum to increase saliva production and ensure that the air pressure inside the ears is the same as the outside air pressure.

After boarding the plane, use professional earplugs or simply roll a piece of tissue into a small tube and insert it into the ear. This will slow down the changes in external air pressure, allowing the ears to gradually adapt to the pressure changes.

Insert your finger into the ear canal and gently shake it, or press your palm against your ear and release it repeatedly. This can help balance the internal and external air pressure in the ears.

These actions can help stimulate the Eustachian tube and promote pressure balance.

The ear consists of three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The auditory receptors and vestibular receptors are located in the inner ear, which is also known as the vestibular organ. Some people also classify the outer ear and middle ear as accessory organs of the vestibular organ. The outer ear includes the auricle and the external auditory canal. Additionally, the skin of the external auditory canal has ear hair and glands, and the secretions of these glands and ear hair can help block the entry of dust and other foreign objects.

The outside of the auricle has a large hole called the external auditory meatus, which connects to the external auditory canal. The auricle is funnel-shaped and has the function of collecting incoming sound waves. Most of it is supported by elastic cartilage located beneath the skin, while the small lower part contains only connective tissue and fat, which is known as the earlobe. Clinically, the auricle is used for auricular therapy and auricular acupuncture, and the earlobe is often used for blood collection.

The external auditory canal is a curved canal extending from the external auditory meatus to the eardrum, with a length of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 cm. Its skin continues from the auricle. The outer one-third of the external auditory canal wall is composed of cartilage, while the inner two-thirds is made of bone. The skin of the cartilaginous portion has ear hair, sebaceous glands, and ceruminous glands.