Say Goodbye to Airplane Ear: A Guide to Preventing and Treating Ear Pain During Flights

Welcome aboard! If you've ever experienced that uncomfortable sensation of ear pain during or after a flight, you're not alone. In fact, you're part of the 34% Club – adult air travellers who suffer from ear pain during flight. In this guide, we'll explore the ins and outs of Airplane Ear, its causes, symptoms, treatments, and most importantly, how to prevent it from ruining your next adventure.

What Causes Airplane Ear? 

Until recently, it was commonly believed that the sudden changes in air pressure during flights were solely responsible for the pain experienced in the ears. However, groundbreaking research from AirDrate® revealed that it's not just the air pressure at play here. The dry atmosphere inside the aircraft cabin actually dehydrates the eardrum, making it less flexible and more susceptible to pressure changes. When the rigid eardrum faces the force of air pressure, it can lead to intense pain, discomfort, and even potential damage, such as rupturing.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Airplane Ear:

So, how do you know if you've joined the 34% Club? Symptoms of Airplane Ear can range from mild to excruciating pain in the ears, often accompanied by discomfort in the head and sinus passages. Most people experience these symptoms during descent, but for some, the agony can start even during ascent, especially if there's a delay on the runway as the cabin starts to dry out as soon as the engines are started.  Additionally, sufferers may feel an uncomfortable sense of fullness in their ears and have difficulty hearing, which can persist for days after the flight.

What Treatment Options are there for Airplane Ear?

Up until very recently, there's been no magic cure for Airplane Ear once the symptoms strike. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications were advised but were of little relief, and techniques such as yawning, swallowing were of no use to sufferers who usually have issues where their Eustachian Tube, that opens and closes when we yawn or swallow and so relieves the pressure, is dysfunctional.   If you have flown and suffered with severe Airplane Ear, t's crucial to seek medical attention promptly, especially if you suspect a ruptured eardrum. Permanent hearing damage is a risk, particularly with repeated incidents, so don't hesitate to consult your GP or Audiologist for proper evaluation and potential treatment options.  

In late 2023 however, sufferers were relieved as the first (and currently only) rehydrating ear plugs were brought to market by AirDrate®. If flying and you have an attack of Airplane Ear Pain, these earplugs can stop or massively reduce the pain within seconds. Users have hailed them as 'miraculous'. If you use them as instructed before any pain sets in, you can prevent it completely. Currently only available in the UK and disposable so one pair for one flight, we are told that they are currently working with medical regulators on expanding this patented solution globally.

Prevention of Airplane Ear is Key: After all, who wants to spend their holiday nursing ear pain instead of soaking up the sun? While traditional solutions, that often fail to work and are not backed by science, focused solely on addressing air pressure changes, AirDrate® took an innovative approach based on new science. Their patented AirDrate® earplugs offer a revolutionary solution by rehydrating the eardrum back to the level it is in the ground and maintaining that whilst wearing, allowing it to flex and adapt to pressure changes more effectively. Simply insert the earplugs about 40 minutes before landing and enjoy your flight pain-free while still being able to hear and converse with ease.

Bon Voyage Airplane Ear!

Say hello to smooth, pain-free flights as with a better understanding of its causes, symptoms, and new innovative prevention methods, you can ensure that your next journey is as enjoyable as can be. So, whether you're jetting off for a well-deserved vacation or embarking on a crucial business trip, don't let ear pain stand in your way. Just imagine being able to relax back and actually enjoy your flights with no worry about ear pain or a ruined time away! 

Read about AirDrate's aviation experts revolutionary new solution to Inflight Airplane Ear Pain here.