Ringing and Clogged Ears After Flying

[huihaihei]

Hello,

My ears have been ringing for almost two weeks now after flying, and they have also felt clogged. This has never happened to me before. I have seen two ENT doctors, and they didn't find anything wrong. They told me that my ears will heal with time.

Has anyone had a similar experience? How did you recover? I'm going crazy and don't know what to do.

 

[Sonia554]

It sounds a bit like barotrauma, which is trauma from pressure changes. I am not a doctor and do not have direct experience with this situation, but I do have sinus issues that make my ears clog up. It seems your ears may not have equalized the external and internal pressure the way they normally would on an airplane. This could involve your eustachian tubes.

You might try an inhaled corticosteroid such as Nasonex or Flonase, inhaling steam, drinking tea or coffee, doing head and neck exercises and massage, using warm compresses in front of your ear (not over the ear canal), spending time outside, sleeping with your head elevated, and taking warm showers. Paying attention to posture and getting daily exercise may also help.

Ibuprofen can reduce inflammation. Some people say ibuprofen can contribute to tinnitus, but not in small doses.

 

[billie48]

Welcome to the forum. It seems you have suffered barotrauma during flight. This can happen when the ears are unable to balance the changes in barometric pressure. It usually subsides once the ears have settled and recovered from the trauma.

Try to stay calm and hopeful that your recovery will come as your ears return to normal. Do not panic, as anxiety can trigger the body's fight or flight response, causing the nervous system to interpret tinnitus as a mortal threat.

Live your life as normally as you can, and allow your body time to heal from the barotrauma. Take good care of yourself, and may your recovery be swift. God bless.