Airplane ear pain relief is something I searched for my entire life — and for years, I couldn’t find it.
I’ve dreaded flights since I was a child. It wasn’t just a dull pressure — it felt like a sharp needle being pushed through my eardrum, especially on landing. I would cry. Silently, trying not to make a scene, but the tears came anyway. After landing, my ears stayed completely muffled for days. And when they finally “opened,” that pop was so painful it made me flinch every time.
I tried everything. Earplugs, sinus medications, decongestants — nothing worked. I even went to an ENT doctor who made a small hole in my eardrum to help equalize pressure. It helped temporarily, but once it healed, the pain came right back.
Then one day, completely by accident, I found a small device at my local pharmacy: the NeilMed Eustachi. I looked up their YouTube channel, and for the first time, someone explained exactly what was happening in my ears. My Eustachian tubes weren’t regulating pressure properly. That was it. That was the whole problem. I used the Eustachi on my next flight — and I felt nothing. No pain. No pressure. No tears. Just a normal flight.
I’m sharing this because if you’re anything like me, I want you to know there is a solution. And if your baby screams on every flight and you don’t know why — this might explain it.
Why Do Ears Hurt During Airplane Takeoff and Landing?
The pain comes from your Eustachian tube — a narrow passage connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat. Its job is to regulate the air pressure inside your ear so it matches the pressure outside.
When a plane climbs or descends, cabin pressure changes quickly. If your Eustachian tubes can’t keep up, the pressure difference builds against your eardrum. That’s what causes the pain, the fullness, and the muffled hearing after landing. The discomfort is more pronounced if you have a cold or sinus infection, because congestion makes it even harder to equalize pressure.
Airplane Ear Pain Relief: Why I Use NeilMed Eustachi
The NeilMed Eustachi is a small, battery-operated device that gently delivers air into your nostril to help open your Eustachian tubes — the natural way your body is supposed to equalize ear pressure. It works with your body’s own swallowing mechanism, just with a little assist.
- Place the tip gently in one nostril
- Press the button and swallow at the same time. If swallowing feels difficult, try holding a small sip of water in your mouth and swallow that instead. It makes the motion much easier and more natural.
- Repeat for the other nostril as needed
It’s recommended and used by physicians, parents, chiropractors, airline pilots, and scuba dive instructors. You can find it at most pharmacies or on Amazon — it requires 2 AA batteries (not included). One more thing to keep in mind: leaving the batteries inside when not in use can drain them over time. Remove the batteries after each trip, or always pack a spare set of AA batteries in your carry-on — you don’t want to find out they’re dead mid-flight.
Age Guide:
- Ages 7 and up — Can use with adult supervision.
- Ages 6 and under — Consult your child’s physician before use. NeilMed’s official guidelines require a doctor’s sign-off for this age group.
- Infants & toddlers — Not suitable. Use the nursing or pacifier method instead (see tips below).
Important Note: Do not use the Eustachi if you have a runny or congested nose, a bloody nose, an ear infection, or a perforated eardrum — it can push mucus further into the Eustachian tubes. Use it when your nose is clear, ideally before the plane begins its descent.
More Airplane Ear Pain Relief Tips That Actually Work
Even without a device, there are several things that genuinely help with ear pain on airplane takeoff and landing. These are worth doing every single flight.
- Yawn and swallow frequently — swallowing and yawning help open the Eustachian tubes and equalize pressure. Chewing gum works great too.
- Try the Valsalva maneuver — pinch your nose, close your mouth, and blow softly. This forces air through the Eustachian tubes to equalize pressure. Don’t blow too hard.
- Use a nasal spray before boarding — a spray like Flonase can reduce swelling in your nasal passages and help open Eustachian tubes for several hours.
- Stay hydrated throughout the flight — drinking plenty of fluids encourages swallowing, which opens the Eustachian tubes. Airplane air is dry and thickens nasal mucus.
- Don’t sleep during descent — this is when pressure changes are most significant. Stay awake so you can actively manage the pressure.
- Use filtered earplugs — these regulate air pressure changes gradually and reduce the shock to your ears during takeoff and landing.
- Avoid flying with a cold — congestion makes ear pain worse and increases the small risk of eardrum damage.
Ear Pain on Flights: Tips for Babies and Kids
If you’ve ever held a screaming baby on a plane, there’s a good chance those little ears were hurting. Babies can’t tell us what’s wrong, and they can’t do pressure-relief maneuvers on their own. As a mom who knows that pain personally, it genuinely breaks my heart to watch.
Here’s what actually helps, broken down by age:
👶 Infants & Babies
- Nurse or bottle-feed during takeoff and landing
- Offer a pacifier if not feeding
- Keep baby upright while feeding — never flat
- The sucking and swallowing motion naturally opens the Eustachian tubes
🧒 Toddlers & Kids
- Give hard candy or a lollipop to suck on (ages 3+)
- Offer chewing gum during descent
- Have them sip juice or water slowly
- Teach them to yawn big on purpose
- Give children’s Tylenol or Motrin 30 min before landing if they’re prone to ear pain
Mom Tip: Save a special snack, lollipop, or small new toy just for takeoff and landing. It keeps kids swallowing and distracted at the exact moments that matter most.
When to See a Doctor: If your child’s ear pain lasts more than a few hours after landing, or if there’s any fluid or discharge from the ear, see a doctor. Repeated severe ear pain on flights can be a sign of Eustachian tube dysfunction worth having evaluated.
FAQs About Airplane Ear Pain and Pressure
Why do my ears hurt so much more than other people’s on flights?
Some people have naturally narrower or less flexible Eustachian tubes, making it harder to equalize pressure. Allergies, frequent sinus issues, or a history of ear infections can also make this worse. If the pain is severe and consistent, an ENT evaluation is worth it.
Is it safe to fly when I have a cold?
It’s not ideal. Congestion makes it much harder to equalize ear pressure, which increases both pain and the small risk of eardrum damage. If you must fly, use a nasal decongestant spray about 30 minutes before descent.
Can babies fly safely with ear issues?
Yes, in most cases. Feeding during takeoff and landing is the most effective way to keep babies comfortable. If your baby seems to be in significant pain every flight, mention it to your pediatrician before your next trip.
Where can I buy the NeilMed Eustachi?
It’s available at most pharmacies, on Amazon, and directly through NeilMed’s website. It requires 2 AA batteries, which aren’t included.
Final Thoughts on Finding Airplane Ear Pain Relief
Ear pain during airplane takeoff and landing doesn’t have to be something you just live with. Whether it’s a simple stick of gum or a device like the NeilMed Eustachi that changes everything — there are real solutions out there. I spent years suffering through flights before I found mine. I hope this saves you some of that time.
And to the moms out there holding a crying baby on a plane, trying everything to soothe them — you’re doing great. Those little ears might just need a little help too. Try the bottle or pacifier trick on your next flight and see what a difference it makes.
Looking for more practical finds that make life with a baby a little easier? Don’t miss our post The Perfect First Spoon: Why This Bendable Design is a Game-Changer for Moms — it’s one of those small discoveries that makes a surprisingly big difference at every mealtime.