When a plane climbs or descends, the air pressure changes quickly, and your eustachian tube often doesn’t react quickly enough. A narrow passage called the eustachian tube regulates air pressure in your ear. This may happen when you’re in an airplane that is climbing or descending. CausesĪirplane ear happens when there is an imbalance in the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment. If discomfort, fullness or muffled hearing lasts more than a few days, or if you have severe signs or symptoms, call your doctor. If airplane ear is severe, you might have: Muffled hearing or slight to moderate hearing loss.Feeling of fullness or stuffiness in your ear.Moderate discomfort or pain in your ear.SymptomsĪirplane ear can occur in one or both ears. However, for a severe case of airplane ear, you might need to see a doctor. Self-care steps - such as yawning, swallowing or chewing gum - usually can counter the differences in air pressure and improve airplane ear symptoms. You might get airplane ear when on an airplane that’s climbing after takeoff or descending for landing.Īirplane ear is also called ear barotrauma, barotitis media or aerotitis media. Airplane ear (ear barotrauma) is the stress on your eardrum that occurs when the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment are out of balance.

Inner ear barotrauma recovery time