Equalization During Descent

[Itsnotfinals.]

Hi everyone,

Can I please ask what might be considered 'normal' with regard to sinus and/or eustachian equalization during descent (pressurised/unpressurised)?

Are most people required to make a conscious effort or is it largely automatic?

[Loose rivets]

I have always had to equalise on the way down. Sinus is another issue altogether. I had an horrendous pain in the top of my head that got worse on the way up. Destination, fine. Bad again on the way home. It's a memory from 50 years ago and one I'm unlikely to forget.

I don't know why the pain was so far back, but it was inversely proportional to the cabin pressure.

[Itsnotfinals.]

Thanks LR,

I ask because people exclaim that they must equalize on the way down, however I never see them having much difficulty and I'm wondering if I'm odd.

Moving my jaw works most of the time for me, however I've had to Valsalva my way out of a few relatively shallow descents.

In my very unqualified opinion, pain in the center of the head on climb is likely sphenoid-related reverse-squeeze or translated nerve pain.

Have not experienced that but have had my fair share of eyebrow pain - which I'm also very unlikely to forget.

[Itsnotfinals.]

Does anyone else have any trouble with equalization? Or does it usually work itself out without trying?

[Don Coyote]

Bit of both, usually had to pinch and blow a number of times in the descent.

[Itsnotfinals.]

Thanks Don - sounds like I should be putting in a little more effort.

[Clay_T]

[Tip from an old SCUBA diver]
If you're having to manually equalize (pinch nose and puff) start doing it before you feel pressure.
Even if you're just a jaw wiggler, start clearing before the pressure builds helps a lot.

[Loose rivets]

The pain all those years ago was pretty well top dead centre. I have no idea why that should have been containing a barometric capsule. Reffered pain doesn't quite fit with feeling like I'm being trepanned. Coming back we were not so flush on fuel so pushed on up another notch. The pain was disabling.
The airline was running on crews either sick or about to be. Folk think they're doing a favour by coming back early, but 30 years later I was all but carried off an aircraft having spent a couple of days with a young chap that was coughing . . . a lot. Double pneumonia. Although this is a by the way, now we see the importance of masks - lifesavers in many cases. Just a small hand towel in a large family can be used to keep the patient count down to one.

[Itsnotfinals.]

Thank you guys, I appreciate your advice.

I had to consult Google regarding trepanation - which only confirmed for me that we are extremely lucky to live in a more modern age regarding medical practice. Either way that sounds terrible.

Completely agree regarding the effect of simple hygiene; especially relevant given the current circumstances.