Flying can sometimes make your ears pop or feel blocked, especially during takeoff and landing. While this is usually harmless, it can be pretty uncomfortable if you are already dealing with an ear infection. Changes in air pressure can worsen pain or delay recovery, which is why specialists at an ear clinic Essex often recommend avoiding flights until your ears have fully healed.
In this blog, we will know how travelling on flights with a severe ear infection affects the overall ear condition and what is the safest way to do before boarding a flight with an ear infection.
Flying affects your ears because of the changes in air pressure that occur as the plane ascends and descends. Inside the middle ear is a small pocket of air that connects to the back of the nose through a narrow passage called the Eustachian tube. Its job is to balance the pressure between your inner ear and the surrounding air.
When a plane takes off, the air pressure inside your ears is higher than in the cabin, so air escapes through the Eustachian tube, which is when you feel or hear a “pop.” During landing, the opposite happens: the cabin pressure increases, and your ears need to draw air in to balance it again, which can feel more complex and sometimes uncomfortable.
If you have a cold, sinus issue, or ear infection, this adjustment becomes harder and leads to ear problems. Avoiding the issues further, simple actions, such as swallowing, yawning, or using earplugs, can help ease the pressure and keep your ears comfortable during flight.
Flying with an ear infection is not usually recommended because the changes in cabin pressure can make symptoms worse. As the Eustachian tube adjusts pressure inside your middle ear, when the plane climbs or comes down, and if that tube is swollen or blocked by an infection, it becomes difficult for air to move in or out, causing sharp pain, balance disorder, vertigo, a ruptured eardrum, secondary infection surrounding areas, chronic ear problems for longer term or even temporary hearing loss.
In some cases, the eardrum can stretch too far and tear, leading to bleeding or fluid discharge. Children are especially at risk since their ear structures are smaller and more sensitive. To avoid severe discomfort or complications, it is best to delay flying until the infection has fully cleared, and you and your child's ears can equalize pressure naturally.
Flying can be especially tough for young children with ear infections because their ears are still developing, and they can not always explain their discomfort. Babies and toddlers face even more challenges, making pressure changes harder to handle.
Key risks for children (2–12):
Higher risks for babies and toddlers:
For those who must travel, simple steps before and during the flight can ease discomfort. Preparing properly helps reduce pressure changes and keeps symptoms under control.
Helpful tips for adults:
Helpful tips for children and babies:
If you are dealing with an ear infection, it is best to hold off on flying until your ears have fully recovered. But if you can not delay your trip, booking a microsuction ear cleaning Essex could really help. This gentle and pain-free treatment clears built-up wax so your ears can adjust more naturally during your flight.
With same-day appointments available, you can get quick relief and reduce the risk of pain, pressure build-up, or muffled hearing mid-air. Following a trusted guide to ear care on flights before you travel ensures your journey is more comfortable and worry-free.
Before your next flight, it is worth giving a little extra care to your ears. The changes in air pressure can feel uncomfortable, especially if you are recovering from an ear infection or have a blockage. Visiting a trusted ear wax removal clinic before you travel can make a big difference. Gentle cleaning helps clear built-up wax, allowing your ears to adjust more easily to pressure changes in the cabin.
Taking this small step not only helps prevent pain while flying but also supports your long-term ear health so you can travel feeling lighter, more transparent, and ready to enjoy the journey.