During a flight—especially during the rapid descent—the air pressure outside changes faster than your Eustachian tube can keep up. If the tube stays pinched shut, a vacuum forms, pulling the eardrum inward and stretching it taut. This is what creates that "clogged" sensation and dulls your hearing. 5 Ways to Unclog Your Ears After a Flight
This is the classic "pinch and blow." Pinch your nostrils shut, close your mouth, and try to blow air through your nose. Be careful: blowing too hard can damage your eardrum or force bacteria into the middle ear. 2. The Toynbee Maneuver ear stuck after flight
Your middle ear is an air-filled pocket. To hear clearly, the air pressure inside that pocket needs to match the atmospheric pressure outside. The , a small canal connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat, is responsible for equalizing this pressure. 5 Ways to Unclog Your Ears After a