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Advice · Ear care

Why do my ears feel blocked after a flight?

Blocked ears after flying are usually caused by a pressure difference across the eardrum, known as aeroplane ear or ear barotrauma. It normally settles within a few hours of landing. If it lasts more than a day or two, it is worth having the ears checked.

Why ears feel blocked after a flight

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. It equalises air pressure on each side of the eardrum when you swallow, yawn or chew. Cabin pressure changes during a flight, particularly on descent. If the Eustachian tube does not open properly, the pressure cannot equalise and the eardrum is pushed inwards. This causes pressure, muffled hearing and sometimes pain.

For most people, it settles within a few hours of landing. It can last several days in people who are congested from a cold, allergies or sinus problems.

What helps during the flight

The Valsalva manoeuvre often helps: pinch the nose, close the mouth and blow gently, as if blowing your nose. Do not blow hard. Other measures include:

• Chewing gum or swallowing often during descent
• Yawning
• Drinking water, as dry cabin air can worsen congestion
• Asking a pharmacist about a decongestant nasal spray before flying if you are congested
• Pressure-regulating earplugs, available from pharmacies

If your ears are still blocked after landing

If the blocked feeling lasts more than 24 to 48 hours, have your ears checked. Possible causes include:

• Ear wax, which can stop the eardrum moving freely and make pressure harder to equalise
• Eustachian tube dysfunction, often linked to allergies or congestion, which may need a GP or ENT assessment
• Rarely, a perforated eardrum. Sharp pain during the flight followed by sudden relief needs prompt medical advice

If you often have ear pressure problems when flying, a wax check before you travel is a sensible precaution.

When to book a wax check

If you are not sure whether wax is contributing, the clinic can examine your ears and, if wax is present, remove it, often on the same day. Ear wax removal costs up to £65 for both ears.

Questions people ask

Common questions