How To Clear Your Ears After Flying __top__ Jun 2026

Drinking plenty of water keeps the mucus membranes in your ears and throat from becoming too dry and sticky. 5. Over-the-Counter Aids

If the physical movements aren't working, your Eustachian tubes might be swollen shut due to allergies or a cold.

Yawning is the body's natural way of opening the Eustachian tubes. how to clear your ears after flying

If you travel frequently or have sensitive ears, you can buy an Otovent balloon device over the counter.

Using a saline or medicated spray can reduce inflammation in the nasal lining. Drinking plenty of water keeps the mucus membranes

When you fly, the around you changes rapidly. Your Eustachian tube —the small canal connecting your middle ear to the back of your nose—is responsible for equalizing this pressure. If the tube is blocked or fails to open, it creates a vacuum in the middle ear, pulling the eardrum inward and causing that "stuffed" or painful sensation known as ear barotrauma . Effective Methods for Clearing Your Ears 1. The Valsalva Maneuver This is the most common technique for "popping" ears.

Intentionally yawn several times. The motion of opening your jaw wide helps pull the Eustachian tubes open. Yawning is the body's natural way of opening

If your ears are still clogged after you leave the plane, try these active maneuvers to open your Eustachian tubes—the narrow passages that connect your middle ear to the back of your nose and throat.

Pinch your nose and swallow at the same time. Swallowing naturally opens the Eustachian tubes, and the pinch adds extra pressure to help them equalize. Repeat 3–5 times.

The repetitive swallowing and jaw motion can help keep the tubes clear.

For most people, the ears will clear naturally within a few hours of landing (sometimes up to a day). However, you should seek medical attention if: