If you gain or lose altitude very quickly you can get an uncomfortable sensation of pressure in your ears. This health tip explains what you can do to alleviate it yourself, and when it is better to seek medical help.
Many of us have experienced an unpleasant sensation on planes during take-off or landing. We hear a soft "crackling" sound and the ambient noise seems faint and muffled. Our own voice somehow sounds louder and a bit echoey. The same thing can happen when you go through a tunnel on the train or take a cable car up a mountain. It is commonly known as ear pressure.
What causes ear pressure?
If the pressure in the middle ear is exactly the same as the pressure outside and the ear is free of wax, we hear perfectly normally. The Eustachian tube plays an important role in this process. It connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and is responsible for allowing air to pass in and out of the ear, ensuring that the air pressure is equalised correctly.
When planes take off, they gain several hundred metres in altitude very quickly. But it takes longer for the pressure to equalise. This creates a build-up of pressure in the middle ear and causes the eardrum to bulge out slightly. The result can be an uncomfortable or even painful sensation in the ears, and it can alter the way we hear things.
What can you do?
Pressure in the ears is generally harmless and doesn't last long. There are a few simple things you can do, such as making normal swallowing and chewing movements. or yawning. This usually creates a suction effect in the Eustachian tube, which may cause it to open.
If this doesn't work, you can try a technique called the Valsalva manoeuvre. Breathe in as normal, then hold your nose and keep your mouth closed. Now try to breathe out. As the air can't escape through your nose or mouth, it's forced into the Eustachian tube. This can equalise the pressure.
When should you see a doctor?
If the pressure can't be equalised using the techniques described above and the ear pressure persists for a prolonged period without causing any additional pain, you can try treating the swelling in the Eustachian tube with a decongestant nasal spray from a pharmacy.
If this doesn't help, or if you experience ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or pain, you should seek medical advice. It may be that the pressure is the result of other problems such as sudden hearing loss, allergies, a middle ear infection or sinusitis. Anatomical abnormalities can also make it harder for the pressure to equalise.
