Noise canceling headphones for ear pressure? About This Page:

[Wolfy6688]

Hi,

On flights my ears pop continuously and I wind up mostly deaf for at least the next day.

I’ve tried the normal remedies - sudafed, nose spray, ear planes, sipping drinks, chewing gum, etc etc. Doesn’t make a difference.

I’m going to be flying more often due to work as well, and was wondering if noise cancelling headphones will help my ears? If anyone’s tried it. I have them from the gun range and if it creates such a tight seal around my ear I think it might work 🤔

[CinderAbby]

I've never heard that about the headphones. My ear doctor told me to do all the things you mentioned - all at the same time - and I've found it works for me.

[Wolfy6688]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

I've never heard that about the headphones. My ear doctor told me to do all the things you mentioned - all at the same time - and I've found it works for me.

I might try it, and if it works I'll let you know. I've done all those at the same time with no relief, but my ears do that when I'm driving in high altitudes too. I guess I'm just sensitive

Since I'm going to be traveling for work more often, I'm getting more concerned. It used to be just annoying, but now it'll be serious if it continually happens

[Fortissimo]

One of the things that has helped my ears is cutting down on dairy a few days before a flight or even going from Denver to the mountains. Dairy makes the mucus thicker and if your ears are like mine, they don't drain properly on a normal day. Throw in a change of pressure or altitude it can be annoying.

I will also begin to take the Sudafed 2 or 3 days before the flight so it has a chance to work and drain my sinuses before the flight.

[Wolfy6688]

Originally Posted by Fortissimo

One of the things that has helped my ears is cutting down on dairy a few days before a flight or even going from Denver to the mountains. Dairy makes the mucus thicker and if your ears are like mine, they don't drain properly on a normal day. Throw in a change of pressure or altitude it can be annoying.

I will also begin to take the Sudafed 2 or 3 days before the flight so it has a chance to work and drain my sinuses before the flight.

Thank you very much! I’ll give it a try. It makes sense about the thicker mucous: could be thick enough to counteract the Sudafed.

Thanks for giving me hope. I’ll report back after my flight in April 👍

[Cendure]

I use noise cancelling headphones all the time when I fly. I've never found them to prevent my ears from popping. I usually have candies with me for that.

[Mystic]

Also, one thing you might want to consider is that most airlines won't let you keep any over-ear headphones on during takeoff and landing, which is when your ears pop. They need to be able to get your attention quickly and/or you need to be able to hear the overhead announcements, especially during an emergency situation and you can't do that wearing noise cancelling headphones, especially the ones that go over the ears. I know that on the last few trips I took with my over-ear noise cancelling headphones, they made me take them off for take off and I had to take them off the minute we officially started our descent.

[twinsljo]

For several years, I've used EARPLANES when flying. They work great! You can get them at any drug store or on Amazon. I just bought a pair.

They look just like ear plugs, except there is a hole down the middle with a patented ceramic core inside. The plugs are comfortable. They are designed to equalize the pressure in your ears during flights (driving in the mountains, etc.).

You insert them before boarding the aircraft. You can take them out once you've reached altitude, but you need to put them back in an hour before the plane starts to descent. You then remove them once you leave the aircraft.

If you have a cold or ear infection, they may not work (I flew 7 months ago with ear infection, and they didn't work, and my ears closed up and remained closed for several months and are still not the same). Otherwise, if you don't have a cold or ear infection, these things work great! I told my sister about them, and she loves them.

[Sue M.]

Originally Posted by Fortissimo

One of the things that has helped my ears is cutting down on dairy a few days before a flight or even going from Denver to the mountains. Dairy makes the mucus thicker and if your ears are like mine, they don't drain properly on a normal day. Throw in a change of pressure or altitude it can be annoying.

I will also begin to take the Sudafed 2 or 3 days before the flight so it has a chance to work and drain my sinuses before the flight.

Thank you! I can get extremely bad pain from sinus cavity above my left eye. Can be on take off or landing. It feels like my head is going to explode. And never know if it will happen or not, it doesn’t every flight.
I always take a sudafed at airport and use spray once I’m in plane. I’ve just ordered in ear noise canceling headphones.

But I never thought of discontinuing dairy or starting sudafed a few days before flight. Will try this next flight.

[joe.hurley]

If your problem is mucus rather than nasal congestion, I would suggest an alternative to sudafed -- Mucinex (generic name is guaifensin); it is simply an expectorant that will loosen up mucus and phlegm in your throat, thin it and then it will be gone. I've often used it when recovering from a cold and I wasn't stuffed in my head anymore but had lots of post-nasal drip.

Just a thought. Oh, and on making your ears pop when descending, a frequent traveler had an idea that I've found works -- hold your nose tightly and then try to blow your nose while pinching it (you won't be able to but the action will cause your ears to pop).

[Her Dotness]

Originally Posted by joe.hurley

If your problem is mucus rather than nasal congestion, I would suggest an alternative to sudafed -- Mucinex...

Agreed. Mucinex works far better than Sudafed for me.

However, you may get especially nasty sinus drainage for about an hour after taking it, something both DH and I have experienced.

Oh, and on making your ears pop when descending, a frequent traveler had an idea that I've found works -- hold your nose tightly and then try to blow your nose while pinching it (you won't be able to but the action will cause your ears to pop).

Noooooo, do NOT try this if you have lots of head congestion.

The natural tendency is to blow harder when it doesn’t immediately clear your ears, and doing that can force nasal congestion up the eustachian tubes (that connect throat and ears) and make matters even worse.

I was warned by my doctor years ago never to do this when head congestion is my major problem.

[RJB]

Not sure noise cancelling headphones are going to do the trick. Your issue is from air pressure, not noise. Like others have said the Val Salva method is the best way to clear your ears (hold your nose and key word: gently blow). I’ve had friends rupture ear drums from flying with colds and have come very close myself. Most modern airliners schedule the cabins to fly somewhere around 8,000ft cabin altitude. Once the power comes up during the takeoff roll the outflow valve will begin to close which regulates how much air is leaving the cabin. Typically it will climb at 500 feet per minute and then begin to descend at 200-300 feet per minute as soon as they start their descent. During cruise there shouldn’t really be any change of air pressure. If you’re going on longer flights I would take some cold medication about an hour before takeoff and then an hour before landing. That gives it about 30 minutes to kick in before the aircraft starts it’s descent. I’m a big fan of Neil Med sinus rinse too.

[Disney Dork]

I don't have ear trouble but I'm wondering if doing sinus rinses for a few days before flying could help get rid of mucus and help a bit. Maybe ask your doctor. Just a caution...my DD's ENT told us to use distilled water as tap water can introduce bacteria.