Flights and Popping Ears

Most air travelers have probably had it at least once - ears clogged up and popping, causing discomfort or pain. My worst experience was flying back from Hong Kong at the beginning of a cold. Those sniffles got worse, the ears clogged up, and I remember the excruciating sense of pain as we made our descent, as if pins were being jabbed into my ear canal.

Airplane Ear, as the Mayo Clinic calls it, may be nearly as common as jet lag, but can certainly last longer. In its feature about Airplane Ear, the Mayo Clinic delves into detail, covering the how and why it occurs, and includes prevention and self care strategies.