Discover This Viral Trick To Sidestep Unpleasant “Airplane Ear” Issue

Person walking down empty airplane aisle

A viral flight attendant hack offers a solution to “airplane ear,” delivering quick relief and comfort to travelers.

At a Glance

Airplane ear arises from unequal air pressure, primarily during takeoff and descent.
A flight attendant-approved hack using paper cups and steam offers rapid relief.
The method, though not medically endorsed, is gaining popularity online.
Suggestions include exploring permanent options for frequent flyers.

Understanding Airplane Ear

Airplane ear occurs when the air pressure between the middle ear and the external environment misaligns during flight phases like takeoff and landing. Common coping strategies include chewing gum, yawning, or swallowing. However, these aren’t always effective. Travelers have long relied on these methods, but not all solutions yield consistent relief. With frequent flying, the quest for a reliable technique becomes more pressing for many individuals experiencing discomfort.

Jeenie, a knowledgeable flight attendant, introduced a new remedy that involves plugging the nose, closing the mouth, and gently blowing—a moderation of pressure known colloquially as the Valsalva maneuver. While innovative, Jeenie cautions against overforce, which can stress the ear canals. Meanwhile, some parents employ feeding during critical flight times to quell ear discomfort in their children.

Traveling for the holidays? ✈️ Don’t let "airplane ear" ruin your experience. The pain is caused by changes in cabin pressure during takeoff and landing. #ColumbiaMed otolaryngologist Dr. Ana H. Kim shares expert tips to relieve ear discomfort. https://t.co/dGSFlmTul8

— Columbia Medicine (@ColumbiaMed) November 19, 2024

The Viral Hack

As highlighted by a TikTok video from @babygriffin, the technique gaining traction online involves a simple cup-of-steam application. A disposable coffee cup filled with hot water, either a washcloth or napkins placed within, creates steam. Held against the ear, this tactic reportedly enhances blood flow and muscle relaxation, swiftly reducing ear pressure. Despite lacking official medical endorsement, enthusiastic anecdotes cement its perceived efficacy.

Certain individual experiences, like Shelby Heiskell’s, amplify this method’s standing among travelers. Facing severe ear pain from congestion during a flight’s descent, a flight attendant recommended this hack, relieving her distress immediately. “Upon descending, I felt my ear pop, and it felt like my ear was going to explode. It was excruciating pain that I had never felt before and had absolutely no control over,” said Heiskell. This relatable narrative garnered significant attention on TikTok, where many echoed similar successes.

How to pop your ears on a plane: 9 tricks for relieving ear pressure, according to medical experts. https://t.co/QbDx2uR97B

— Condé Nast Traveler (@CNTraveler) December 11, 2023

Conclusion

Though not a medically certified solution, the steaming cup innovation continues to offer hope and relief for susceptible travelers. Expert advice suggests investigating viable options such as EarPlanes or exploring ear tubes as preventative measures for frequent flyers. Moreover, familiarizing oneself with varied solutions, like maintaining restroom humidity to soothe persistent ear blockages, remains vital in managing this common travel nuisance.

As discussions around airplane ear continue, this documented anecdotal method fuels an evolving exchange of passenger experience-driven knowledge about balancing air pressure discomfort.