Ears in descent

[captain111]

Hi all,
I have a valid class 1 medical and, whilst nothing was flagged up during the examination to do with my ears, I reguarly suffer a degree of discomfort during descent. I am not a professional pilot at the moment but intend to commence training for my ATPL next year having completed my degree.
After a particuarly painful flight to Helsinki in August I arranged to have a consultation with an AME near Gatwick. The doctor informed me that I am in the fortunate third of the population who have problems equalising ears during pressure changes but was very quick to put me at ease and suggest that it should not deter me from considering a career as a pilot. He thus sent me on my way with the instruction of becoming rather efficient at holding the nose and blowing!
With a renewed sense of confidence I have slowly got to grips with this technique although it has not been as easy as I anticipated. The problem I have now however is that I got to put it to the test last weekend on a flight to Belfast and just couldn't get them to open up. Whilst it was by no means as painful as the Helsinki trip, I'm really worried that I will not be able to solve the problem and that it will continue to provide discomfort during my potential career as a pilot.
I'm sorry about the slightly rambly nature of this post but I hope somebody might be able to offer some advice as to what I can do to aid the situation. If I continue to practice the Valsava tehnique on the ground will it get easier at altitude? Will the problem potenially fade as I do more flying and subject myself to more frequent pressure changes? Are there any alternatives to the valsava technique that I might be able to consider?
Many thanks and happy flying,
Captain111

[Loose rivets]

You might take care to observe if your ears equalize when you yawn. (It has to be a genuine yawn by the way, so not a regular occurrence at the opertune moment.) Mine always did, but other than that I had to pop them myself every decent for 40 years.

If you can't cause them to equalize by gentle blowing, there is something wrong: maybe you have a chronic infection that needs clearing up. A visit to a specialist might be a good investment.

[allan907]

Yawning does it for me. But you may need to explain to any more senior crew with you that it's not because your bored/tired! Funnily enough it doesn't do it so much nowadays - maybe it is an acclimatisation thing.

[HowlingWind]

I think your idea of exercising the nose blowing technique prior to flight on the ground, as well as in all phases of flight (not just descent) may help with some of your issues. Scuba divers do this on the surface prior to every dive as well as at frequent times during both descent and ascent.

As LR notes, easy does it. It shouldn't take a major blow to equalise the pressure.

[hpcock]

As an alternative, try swallowing saliva...(of your own!!)

I find valsalva to be the best remedy for me, but all the others mentioned here are just as good

[the dean]

The problem I have now however is that I got to put it to the test last weekend on a flight to Belfast and just couldn't get them to open up. Whilst it was by no means as painful as the Helsinki trip, I'm really worried that I will not be able to solve the problem and that it will continue to provide discomfort during my potential career as a pilot.

Captain111

try starting early....as soon as you feel the power coming off..

my daughter has always since little had the same problem. i find that if she cannot get it right at an early stage then as the pressure starts to build she has less chance of equalizing...:ok:

the dean.

[BOAC]

'the dean' gives you good advice. The 'Eustachian' tubes which allow equalisation of pressure in the ear open into the throat. As the pressure rises in descent, the tendency is for the opening of the tube to be forced shut. A quick 'puff' just before T of D helps to ensure the opening is 'open' under no pressure stress and keeping it open is then easier. Other techniques (yawning, as above) plus a good hard blow of your nose or shouting have been known to help, but do not generally go down well on the flight deck (unless you are, of course, the captain:)).

More info on 'the tubes' on the net http://www.medicinenet.com/eustachian_tube_problems/article.htm + others.

EDIT: To add that, as you have already, you should seek professional medical advice. If in doubt, do not fly. Ear damage can easily occur if the tubes are 'blocked' and that will stop you flying.

[Jimmy The Big Greek]

Try performin the valsalve while moving your head sideways. Experiment with different head movements.

I also want ad that after few 100 hours flying experience your ears will get used to it.

[JackOffallTrades]

This is definately something that gets easier with experience. Try sucking a boiled sweet for a short while before decent too. I have found the only time I need to "clear" my ears these days is when I have "wrongly!" flown with a cold...... Very bad idea by the way. :=

By the way, anyone know any good cures for a cold??:} Sniff....

[Spaceghost]

As was already mentioned, I have to do this sometimes while scuba diving.

Make sure you don't blow too hard though because if the ear drums are under alot of pressure, you could damage them, but I don't know if that applies to flying. You certainly don't want to injure yourself while under water.

[click]

You could try these Ear planes if it gets any worse

[NuName]

I have had this problem for years. Starting early and regularly in the descent gives my best result. Also it does not seem to be the greater pressure I exert but the time I apply it that does the trick.

[Bigyin]

Capt 111
If all else should fail there is a new device available that could (but I do not know for sure) help ease your's and many others' problem of pressure discomfort. I have been seriously contemplating getting one of these for myself as I too suffer often with ear pressure problems. So I know very well how painful it can be. Saying that, I have been flying commercially for over ten years and I have learnt to put up with a few days off now and then to alleviate the discomfort. In my case, the pain and pressure discomfort normally takes 3-4 days to go and then I am ok again for another 3-4 months or so. I would urge you though NEVER to fly if you have blocked sinuses or a head cold.
Whatever you do, don't give up on your dream!! :)
All the best.

[GaryS]

Hi bigyin

do you know the name of the device?

it's a shame there is no permanent solution.

Thanks :)

[llanfairpg]

Take up Sub Aqua and stretch those Euston Station tubes

[captain111]

Thanks all for the informative replies.
Just wondering if there are any current commercial pilots who reguraly use Earplanes. At around £10 a pair it could prove to be an expensive solution!

Captain 111

[andrew495]

As someone else said, see an ear, nose and throat specialist for the best advice. There are a number of different reasons that could be occuring either individually or together to create your problem, and although you're predicament may not be able to be cured, there should be some things that can be done so that it is less severe. I understand exactly how you feel, and when my ears are blocked I wish i could simply yawn or do a quick blow like most others to get rid of the discomfort when it occurs. Anyway, your case sounds much worse than mine, so best of luck in getting yourself sorted out.

[alexka]

My experience : I am PPL student, never had any serious problems with ears, but rather tend to catch cold from time to time. Have got my medical class 2 with no problems at all.

After having constant discomfort and, sometimes, pain in my left ear during descent, I took painful decision to suspend my PPL training and investigate on what is going on. On top of that, I was frustrated about getting cold three times during last three month!

After making investigation at two independent places, it appeared to be that - now, sorry for possibly incorrect terminology - my "nose separating wall (partition)" is curved and nose inner shells are increased in size. Curve of the nose partition in combination with big shells make air flow problematic. Problematic nose air flow leads to increased probability of getting cold and ear pressure equalizing problems. So, in my case it looks like physyology making troubles. Now they recommend me operation on fixing the curve and then possibly the shells.... I have not yet decided, but I hope that in case it is done I will be able to keep my medical and continue to fly. JAR-FCL 3 do not give clear information on whether it's OK to fly after such operation. Need to consult aviation medical specialist on that.

I wish you guys good luck and easy solutions for ear pressure problems....:)

Happy landings,
Alex

[Hobo]

I find chewing gum helps and also opening my mouth as wide (straining to hold it open) as possible and then moving my lower jaw in a slowish wide as possible circle. There, just done it now and felt the ears go!

[fuvami]

Hi,

I don't know if I have the same problem with you and I also look for some help.I stay like this:I had 3 barotraumas in my last 4 month of flying.I tryed a septdeviation surgery,but i didnt helped.After a month of beeing grounded i flew one week and then again.I found out i have now a serious tympan problem that might require surgery for hardening the tympan,and also probably ill need a transtympanic tube-diavolo in order to facilitate the passage of the ear.But with this,i asked an ame from my country-east europe,im not allowed to fly.Anyway probably ill have to put the tube in order to resolve the eustachian tube problem and then to take the second surgery for the tympan.Curently,after 3 months of staying grounded my audyogram is better than normal:D,but i remained with the tympanic problem.I tryed one flyght,to see how i feel,i opened my eustachian tube but with difficulty.Of course im affraid too try again another flight until ill not resolve the problem with the eustachian tube disorder.You know,i even feel the pressure even when i drive the car on an upslope hill,so...Ill try that ear planes to see if they works-of course as passenger,and after that ill see.My problem is that here there is no very good doctor in diagnosticating my problem and ill try to find somene else abroad.I saw it is a center in geneva.Do you know any other places with good doctors for ears?The chewing gum and all other helping methods works but just some times.Ohh,and i forgot to tell you i am a jet pilot working for an airline,class1 rated.Or i was,who knows.Maybe some of you will give me some help.Thanks