Blocked Ears After Flying: Why It Happens & What to Do

That blocked, muffled feeling in your ears during take-off or landing is a familiar experience for many travellers.

Usually, your ears return to normal shortly after the flight. But sometimes the pressure, popping sensation or muffled hearing remains for hours or even longer.

So why do you get blocked ears after flying, and when should you have them checked?

Why Do Your Ears Feel Blocked on a Plane?

Air pressure changes as an aircraft climbs and descends.

The middle ear is an air-filled space behind the eardrum. A small passage called the Eustachian tube helps equalise pressure between the middle ear and the environment.

During rapid altitude changes, pressure on either side of the eardrum may temporarily become unequal.

This can create sensations such as:

• Pressure or fullness

• Popping

• Muffled hearing

• Mild discomfort

• A feeling that the ear needs to “open”

Landing can be particularly noticeable because cabin pressure increases as the aircraft descends.

Why Won’t My Ears Pop After a Flight?

For some people, pressure equalises quickly. For others, it can take longer.

Congestion associated with a cold, allergies or sinus symptoms may make pressure equalisation more difficult.

Individual anatomy and Eustachian tube function can also influence how your ears respond to pressure changes.

If the sensation continues, avoid automatically assuming that you have earwax. Several different problems can produce a similar blocked-ear feeling.

What Can Help During a Flight?

Simple actions that encourage swallowing can help some people equalise pressure.

These can include swallowing, yawning, sipping water or chewing gum during ascent and descent.

Staying awake during landing can also make it easier to notice pressure changes and swallow regularly.

Some travellers gently attempt to equalise their ears by closing their mouth, pinching their nose and carefully creating slight pressure.

This should be gentle. Forceful attempts to “pop” an ear are not recommended.

Could Earwax Be Causing the Blocked Feeling?

Possibly, but not every blocked ear is caused by wax.

Excess earwax can cause fullness and muffled hearing, and the timing of a flight may make you more aware of an existing blockage.

The only reliable way to know whether wax is contributing is to examine the ear canal.

If excess wax is present and removal is appropriate, professional microsuction may be an option.

If the ear canal is clear, another explanation for the symptoms may need to be considered.

What If Your Hearing Is Still Muffled?

Persistent muffled hearing deserves attention, particularly if it represents a noticeable change from your normal hearing.

A professional examination can help determine whether there is visible earwax or another reason to recommend further assessment.

A hearing assessment may also be appropriate if hearing does not return to normal.

Avoid repeatedly inserting cotton buds or other objects into the ear in an attempt to clear the blockage. These can push wax deeper and may injure the ear canal or eardrum.

When Should You Seek Professional Advice?

Consider having your ears checked if the blocked sensation persists, your hearing remains noticeably reduced or you experience significant discomfort.

You should also seek appropriate medical attention for concerning symptoms such as severe ear pain, discharge, significant dizziness or sudden hearing loss.

A sudden change in hearing should not simply be assumed to be pressure or earwax.

Can You Fly Again With Blocked Ears?

Whether it is appropriate to fly again depends on why the ear remains blocked and the severity of your symptoms.

If you have significant pain, an ear condition or persistent hearing changes, obtaining professional advice before another flight may be sensible.

Trying to identify the cause is more useful than repeatedly attempting to force the ear to pop.

How Can an Audiologist Help?

If your hearing seems different after travelling, an audiologist can assess your hearing and examine the ear canals.

This can help distinguish visible earwax from hearing changes that may require further investigation or referral.

The appropriate next step depends on what the assessment finds.

Still Have Blocked Ears After Flying?

Most temporary pressure changes settle, but persistent blocked ears or muffled hearing should not simply be ignored.

If you are in Christchurch and your hearing has not returned to normal, Better Hearing Co. can assess your ears and hearing and discuss appropriate next steps.

Better Hearing Co. provides professional hearing assessments and microsuction ear-wax removal where appropriate from its clinic at 177 Innes Road, St Albans, Christchurch.

Book an appointment to have your ears and hearing professionally checked.