Why Ears Feel Blocked After Flights and When to Seek Care

During a flight, air pressure changes, especially when the plane comes down to land.

A small passage called the Eustachian tube helps keep pressure balanced inside your ear.

If it does not open quickly enough, your eardrum can be pulled inward.

That can make your ear feel full or painful and make sounds seem quiet.

A cold or allergies can make the passage harder to open.

Swallowing, yawning, drinking water or chewing gum may help your ears adjust.

Do not blow hard to force your ears to pop, because that could hurt delicate parts of the ear.

Get medical help for sudden hearing loss, severe pain, spinning dizziness or bleeding.

If the blocked feeling or reduced hearing does not go away, have your ear checked.