FLYING WITH EAR INFECTION SINUSITIS NOT A GOOD IDEA POSSIBLE EARDRUM PAIN PROBLEMS

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FLYING WITH EAR INFECTION SINUSITIS NOT A GOOD IDEA POSSIBLE EARDRUM PAIN PROBLEMS PRESSURE DIFFERENCES

As a general rule flying with an ear infection, a cold, certain allergies or sinusitis is NOT a good idea. This is because the pressure in an airplane changes with altitude changes. Ascending and descending result in pressure changes that are manifested in your ear. If the tube that connects your middle ear with your throat, the eustachian tube, is blocked than the pressure on either side of your eardrum can't equalize and the potential exists for ear pain, possibly severe pain or even rupture of the eardrum.Recent surgical procedures involving structures of the inner or middle ear may be affected by pressure changes and are a contraindication to flight.

The Parts of the Ear and the Tube That Gets Blocked

If you buy a light for looking into the ear, an otoscope, and look into someone's ear, you will see a long narrow chamber or tunnel. That's the outer ear canal. The disc like membrane you see at the end of the tunnel is the ear drum, the tympanic membrane. Behind the eardrum , is another chamber, the middle ear. In order for you to hear normally, the ear drum has to be able to vibrate like the membrane on a drum. If there is something, such as fluid pushing on the ear drum from the inside than it can't vibrate properly and you don't hear as well.


There is a long tube that connects to the middle ear, the eustachian tube. To hear well and for the ear to function correctly the eustachian tube needs to be open so fluid can drain from the middle ear. People with ear infections, colds and some allergies may have that tube blocked. If it's blocked the fluid builds up in the middle ear.

Any Medical Condition Affecting Ear Patency Might Be a Problem

"Because of the rapid cabin pressure changes normally encountered even in commercial flight operations, any medical condition affecting the patency of the eustachian tube or sinus ostia could lead to complications during flight. Negative pressure in the middle ear created by blockage creates a partial vacuum, leading to pain and possibly tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss or even rupture of the ear drum, tympanic membrane. Failure to equilibrate pressures in the middle ear (barotitis media) or paranasal sinuses (barosinusitis) typically occurs on descent and may be caused by a variety of conditions, including middle ear infections, effusions, acute or chronic sinusitis, or allergies or infections creating nasal congestion".

Flying can be a pain in the ear



You may want to look at this interesting article for doctors that appeared several years ago

Medical Advice for Commercial Air Travelers.



Obviously, the thing to do when you have a cold, ear infection or ear problem is SEE YOUR DOCTOR. Ask your doctor about steps such as using a decongestant. A caveat is that decongestants have the potential to raise blood pressure. Chewing something that may help to open the eustachian tube.