Ear Stopped Up After Flight Jun 2026

This keeps your swallowing reflex active.

Your middle ear contains a small pocket of air. To hear clearly, the pressure in that pocket needs to match the air pressure outside your body. The —a thin canal connecting your middle ear to the back of your nose—is responsible for equalizing this pressure. ear stopped up after flight

If the plugged sensation lasts more than a week, is accompanied by severe pain, dizziness, or fluid draining from the ear, it’s worth getting checked. Most cases resolve on their own, but persistent blockage can lead to infection or temporary hearing issues. This keeps your swallowing reflex active

These techniques help open the , which connect your middle ear to the back of your throat: The —a thin canal connecting your middle ear

For most people, the feeling clears within minutes or a few hours. But sometimes it lingers for days, especially if you had congestion from a cold or allergies.

If you have a cold or allergies, take a decongestant about an hour before landing. When to See a Doctor

Using a spray like Afrin can shrink the swelling in the nasal passages and the opening of the Eustachian tube. (Note: Don't use these for more than three days).