Hearing and Colds

[Okavango]

Hi - I've tried this in the Medicals section but need some general experience. I've had ~100 airline flights during my life and on decent in a couple experienced pain/reduced hearing due to congestion due to colds. How do professional pilots deal with this situation which I would consider a hazard? Is it typical that airlines stipulate thier pilots must not fly with colds, use of decongestants?

[Mordacai]

As an instructor, it's very simple. If I have a cold I do not fly. The thought of a perforated ear drum and loss of medical does not exite me.

Luckily I live in Florida, and have only had one cold in the last 12 months, which was when my Mum came to visit from England, and bought all the Rhino Virusus with her. :=:*

[Nashers]

if you have a cold, you phone in sick. its as simple as that. even if it does not cause you alot of pain you will still have some discomfort which will not help concentration levels.

even as a pax you should not fly with a cold. as its not worht a bust ear drum.