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One in five adults experiences ear pain during air travel

	Ear pain during air travel is annoying, but almost always harmless. Turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to learn more about the causes of ear pain during air travel.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today to find out how best to prevent ear pain during travel.

We've brought together the best research on ear pain during air travel and weighed the evidence about how to treat it. You can use our information to talk with your doctor about what treatments are best for you.

Key points about ear pain during air travel

• Ear pain during air travel happens when the pressure inside your ear isn’t the same as the pressure outside your ear.
• Usually, the act of swallowing delivers tiny bubbles of air to the middle ear via the eustachian tube, keeping the air pressure inside the middle ear the same as outside the body.
• During air travel, air pressure changes quickly, and you may not be able to swallow fast enough to keep the middle ear filled with air. This causes ear pain.
• Yawning, swallowing, or blowing hard while pinching your nose can help reduce the pressure in your ears during air travel, and potentially prevent ear pain.
• If you have a cold or allergy symptoms while flying, taking a decongestant pill or syrup can help keep your eustachian tubes open and functioning the way they should.

We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about ear pain during air travel. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about ways to prevent ear pain during air travel.