How To Clear Your - Ears After Flying |work|

Safe travels—and happy hearing.

That plugged, underwater feeling after a flight is miserable. You’ve landed, but your ears haven’t. This common issue—called "airplane ear" or ear barotrauma—happens when pressure changes during takeoff and landing trap air in your Eustachian tubes. how to clear your ears after flying

Pinch your nose and swallow at the same time. Swallowing naturally opens the Eustachian tubes, and the pinch adds extra pressure to help them equalize. Repeat 3–5 times. Safe travels—and happy hearing

A fake yawn won’t work. Open your mouth wide, drop your jaw, and take a deep, audible yawn. The muscle movement pulls the tubes open. If nothing happens, try tilting your head side to side while yawning. Repeat 3–5 times

If you have sinus congestion, a few sprays of a saline or oxymetazoline (like Afrin) nasal spray can reduce swelling. Use decongestant sprays sparingly—no more than 2–3 days. Saline is safe to repeat.

Run a hot shower and breathe in the steam for 5–10 minutes. Or soak a washcloth in warm (not scalding) water, wring it out, and hold it against the affected ear. Heat relaxes the muscles around the Eustachian tube.

Pinch your nostrils closed with your fingers. Keep your mouth shut. Then gently breathe out through your nose—like you’re trying to pop your ears on purpose. Stop immediately if you feel pain. You should hear a soft click or pop.