Ear Congestion After Flight? Doctor Explains What to Do Three Days Later

Ear congestion after flying is a common complaint, but it's usually not due to earwax buildup. Dr. Austėja Pečeliūnienė explains that the issue often stems from a disrupted Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and maintains equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum.

During a flight, rapid pressure changes can affect this delicate balance. If a person has a cold, allergies, or a swollen nasal lining, the Eustachian tube may not open properly. This can lead to a blocked feeling, reduced hearing, popping or crackling sounds, fluid in the middle ear, and sometimes severe ear pain.

Dr. Pečeliūnienė advises addressing any nasal congestion before flying. Simple actions during ascent and descent can help: try the Valsalva maneuver (gently blowing air through a pinched nose and closed mouth) or the Toynbee maneuver (swallowing with a pinched nose). Frequent swallowing, chewing gum, yawning, and using pressure-regulating earplugs are also recommended.

"Do not try to clear your ear with cotton swabs, as the problem usually lies not in the ear canal, but in the pressure regulation mechanism between the nasopharynx and the middle ear," the doctor emphasizes. If congestion persists for several days, or if pain, dizziness, hearing loss, ringing, or sound sensitivity occur, seeking medical help is crucial.