Blocked Ears on a Plane: What Should You Do?
Blocked ears on a plane are caused by a pressure imbalance between the middle ear and the cabin environment. As the aircraft climbs and descends, cabin pressure changes faster than the Eustachian tube — the small channel connecting the middle ear to the throat — can equalize. The result is the characteristic 'plugged' sensation, muffled hearing, or pain. In most cases, swallowing, yawning, or performing the Valsalva maneuver resolves the blockage within seconds to minutes.
For a more complete picture of ear issues that can arise from flying, including pre-existing conditions: Flying with an Ear Problem: Tips and Precautions!. For overall wellbeing on longer flights: How to Sleep Well on a Plane?.
What's Actually Happening Inside Your Ear
Your middle ear is a small, air-filled cavity behind the eardrum. For the eardrum to vibrate freely (so you can hear), the air pressure on both sides of it must be equal. The Eustachian tube periodically opens to let air in or out, maintaining this balance.
During a flight, the aircraft cabin is pressurized — but not to sea-level pressure. The cabin equivalent altitude is typically 6,000–8,000 feet. As the plane climbs, pressure drops; as it descends, pressure rises. During descent, the cabin pressure increases, but if the Eustachian tube doesn't open quickly enough to let that higher-pressure air into the middle ear, the ear feels blocked and may hurt.
Descent is generally worse than ascent because the increasing cabin pressure must be admitted into the middle ear (against a slight pressure resistance), rather than released.
How to Unblock Your Ears During a Flight
Swallow, yawn, chew
The simplest approach: swallow repeatedly, yawn widely, or chew gum. All three of these actions activate the tensor veli palatini muscle, which opens the Eustachian tube. Keep a piece of gum or some hard candy in your carry-on specifically for descent.
The Valsalva maneuver
Pinch your nose shut, close your mouth, and gently blow out — as if you're trying to blow your nose but with everything blocked. This gently increases air pressure in the back of the throat, forcing air up through the Eustachian tube into the middle ear. You'll often feel a pop and a sudden clearing. Important: do this gently. Excessive force can damage the eardrum or inner ear.
The Toynbee maneuver
Pinch your nose, close your mouth, and swallow. This creates a pressure change that can help open the Eustachian tube in a different direction than the Valsalva. Some people find it works when the Valsalva doesn't.
Filtered earplugs
Specialized filtered earplugs (EarPlanes and similar brands) slow the rate of pressure change reaching the ear canal, giving the Eustachian tube more time to equalize gradually. They are particularly useful for people with chronically sensitive ears or those traveling with a cold. Insert before takeoff and keep in until after landing.
What to Do If Your Ears Stay Blocked After Landing
In most cases, ears will equalize naturally within a few hours of landing as you return to normal ground-level pressure. Help the process along by continuing to swallow frequently, yawn, and perform gentle Valsalva maneuvers.
If your ears remain blocked, muffled, or painful for more than 24 hours after landing, see a doctor. Persistent symptoms may indicate fluid accumulation in the middle ear (serous otitis media) or — rarely — barotrauma, which requires medical assessment.
How to Prevent Blocked Ears Before Your Flight
If you're prone to blocked ears on flights, use a nasal decongestant spray 30–60 minutes before takeoff. This reduces mucosal swelling around the Eustachian tube opening, improving equalization. Saline nasal spray (non-medicated) used in the hours before the flight also helps maintain nasal hydration and clear the nasal passages.
Avoid flying with a severe cold or active sinus infection if possible. The congestion and inflammation that come with these conditions make Eustachian tube function very difficult and significantly increase the risk of ear pain during the flight.
Medical References
The Mayo Clinic's page on airplane ear is the go-to clinical reference for causes, prevention, and treatment: Mayo Clinic: Airplane Ear.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology's patient guide covers Eustachian tube function and flying in clear, accessible language: American Academy of Otolaryngology: Ears and Altitude.
Healthline provides a practical overview of techniques for unclogging ears, including those applicable to flights: Healthline: How to Unclog Your Ear.
FAQ
Is it normal for ears to stay blocked for a whole flight?
Persistent blockage during the entire flight is less common and may indicate significant Eustachian tube dysfunction — often related to a cold or allergy. If the blockage is accompanied by sharp pain, try the Valsalva maneuver. If pain is severe, alert a crew member; in very rare cases, the airline may decide to descend to a lower altitude.
Can blocked ears permanently affect hearing?
Routine pressure-related blockage does not cause permanent hearing damage. Severe barotrauma — which involves a pressure injury to the ear structures — can in rare cases affect hearing. This is almost always preventable with the techniques described above.
Why do some people never get blocked ears on planes?
Eustachian tube anatomy and function vary between individuals. Some people have tubes that open very easily with minimal effort; others require active equalization techniques. It's partly anatomical and partly related to nasal and sinus health.
Make Your Flight More Comfortable
For a complete guide to wellbeing during long flights: How to Effectively Manage Jet Lag After a Flight?.
And if anxiety is making the ear issue feel worse than it is, our fear of flying programs help you put physical sensations in context and respond to them calmly.