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Flying: Pain in the ears and coping strategies

Flying used to be very difficult indeed for me, until a consultant ear surgeon gave me a strategy. First, though, the difficulties that can be experienced.

The noise of the aircraft would partially deafen me if I was flying for any length of time. Some years ago I flew from London to Los Angeles and was almost completely deaf when I arrived. That was very scary indeed, and fortunately my hearing recovered after a night's sleep. However, that is not to be relied on!

Changes in the cabin pressure would cause me intense pain in my ears and head.

After landing, I would find my own voice echoing painfully inside my head when I spoke and this was painfully louder at some orientations of my head. There was absolutely no way that I could interact with anyone meaningfully until my head cleared which could take several days.

Now these difficulties are things of the past, apart from when I happen to have a bad cold and can't realistically get out of a flight booking and overseas commitment that has been booked in advance.

• The consultant pointed out that the problems with aircraft pressure change occur on the descend rather than the ascent, i.e. when the air pressure in the cabin is being increased in readiness for landing. So, some 45 minutes before landing use nasal decongenstant drops (such as Otravine) which are readily available without prescription. Put your head right back and make sure that a few drops get right up your noise - and hence disperse into the nasal passages. In fact, I use the drops at take-off too because I have found that other variations in cabin pressure do sometimes occur.
• The consultant also advised keeping the nasal passages open during the descent by pinching the nostrils together every so often and blowing (as if trying to puff out the cheeks). Sometimes, but not always, this makes the "ears go pop" and is apparently more efficient than yawning and swallowing, which are also recommended. Sucking sweets seems to help encourage swallowing.
• I never asked the consultant about cutting down noise because I had that sorted already. I sometimes use wax ear plugs, but these can 'click' annoyingly when one moves one's jaw to eat, speak or lie back. Now I rely on ear defenders - the folding sort that are available in various colours which can be colour co-ordinated to particular outfits. Sometimes I use them in addition to the wax ear plugs. Ear defenders have the added advantage that they send a visual signal to everyone around that there is some problem with my hearing.

In spite of these strategies, I do not enjoy flying and always feel a sense of physical relief when I can remove the ear plugs and tear off the ear defenders. Even then, it takes a while for my ears to feel back to normal.

Hearing problems

Sound level issues
Pitch issues
Distortion issues
Background noise
Pain and sensitivity