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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffAirplane ear is the stress exerted on your eardrum (tympanic membrane) and other middle ear tissues when the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment are out of balance. You may experience airplane ear at the beginning of a flight when the airplane is climbing or at the end of a flight when the airplane is descending. These fast changes in altitude cause air pressure changes and can trigger airplane ear.
Airplane ear is also called ear barotrauma, barotitis media or aerotitis media.
Usually self-care steps — such as yawning, swallowing or chewing gum — can prevent or correct the differences in air pressure and improve airplane ear symptoms. However, a severe case of airplane ear may need to be treated by a doctor.
- Mirza S, et al. Otic barotrauma from air travel. Journal of Laryngology and Otology. 2005;119(5):366-370.
- Vernick D. Ear barotrauma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 25, 2008.
- Ears and altitude. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/earsAltitude.cfm. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 28, 2009.
- Travel safety tips. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/travelsafetytips.cfm. Accessed Sept. 28, 2009.
