Did you know that flying on a plane may affect the hearing of your ears?
Let's leave a suspense here, let's read on!
One
Why do my ears hurt when I fly on a plane?
The main reasons for the strong feeling of fullness in the ears when taking an airplane are: on the one hand, the altitude of the plane is risingThe pressure difference between the inside and outside of the ear increases, on the other handThe eustachian tube is not well ventilated, and the air pressure inside and outside the tympanic chamber is unbalanced, resulting in excessive pressure on the eardrum. It can cause tinnitus and congestion in the ears, and severe pain and headache in the ears, which may affect hearing.
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the pharynx and is the only tube that communicates the middle ear with the outside worldThe pressure into the ear cavity is balanced with the pressure in the outer ear and outside the eardrum. When this duct is blocked, the pressure in the middle ear is not equal to the air pressure outside, and there is a feeling of blockage in the ear, hearing loss, and even pain.
The atmospheric pressure of the environment we are usually in is stable, and the pressure inside and outside the middle ear is the same, and the eardrum is in a relaxed state. But if encounteredWhen ascending and landing by airplaneAs the pressure inside and outside the middle ear changes dramatically, the eardrum also becomes concave or bulging.
II
How to relieve the feeling of fullness in the ears?
1) Swallowing saliva, yawning, chewing candy
Actions such as swallowing, yawning, chewing candy, etc., help to move the muscles locally, so that the pressure in the Eustachian tube can be adjusted early. Improve ear congestion or earache caused by a sunken or bulging eardrum.
2) Pinch your nose and puff up
If speaking, swallowing, chewing and other actions are not effective, you can try pinching your nose and puffing upTake a breath in, then pinch your nose, puff out your cheeks, close your mouth and exhale forcefully through your pinched nostrils。This is more forceful than speaking and other movements, and the Eustachian tube can be flushed away instantly. But be careful to take your time when you puff up, and don't push too hard.
3) Plug your ears with your hands or earbuds
If you have tried both of the above and still don't work, you can use earplugs to plug your ears. The reasons for this are:Isolate the outside world from the eardrum and slow down changes in air pressure。If you don't have earbuds, you can plug them with your fingers.
Reminder
1) It is best not to fly if you have a cold
In order to avoid the ear not adapting to the change in air pressure, it will induce diseases. If you can't avoid it, you canFollow your doctor's instructionsSpray medications that shrink the nasal mucosa, or chew gum during take-off and landing. Finally, I would like to remind everyone: when there are symptoms such as ear discomfort or hearing loss in life,Be sure to go to the hospital for examination in time, and do not ignore and delay.
2) In the recovery period of tympanic membrane perforation, it is best not to fly
Most traumatic tympanic membrane perforations resolve spontaneously within 1 month if no infection is present, the smaller the perforation, the higher the self-healing rate of the tympanic membrane. For example, keep the external auditory canal dry and clean, do not blow your nose vigorously, do not drop medicine, avoid bacterial infection, etc. If there is no healing for more than 3 months, surgery can be considered for repair.