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<\/p>\nIf you\u2019ve ever taken a flight out of the Portland International Airport, you may have noticed a strange popping sensation in one or both of your ears. Although this popping sensation is rarely painful, it can cause discomfort during a long flight.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a look at why that popping sensation occurs and what you can do to prevent it.<\/p>\n
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Your ears contain Eustachian tubes connecting the middle ears to the back of your throat. The Eustachian tube is responsible for draining fluid and equalizing air pressure inside your ears.<\/p>\n
When you fly, the air pressure inside the plane changes rapidly. Your ears pop when the Eustachian tubes can\u2019t react fast enough to the change in air pressure, resulting in an imbalance of pressure between your ears and the environment around you.<\/p>\n
A popping sensation in the ears is often the first sign of airplane ear, but you may notice other symptoms including but not limited to:<\/p>\n
Severe cases of airplane ear may also present with:<\/p>\n
Risk factors that may increase the chance of airplane ear include but are not limited to:<\/p>\n
While most cases of airplane ear are not serious, long-term complications such as permanent hearing loss or tinnitus can occur if the condition becomes severe or frequently occurs.<\/p>\n
A couple of essential tips for preventing airplane ear include:<\/p>\n
Following these tips can help prevent airplane ear from occurring or becoming severe. For more information about protecting your ear health, contact PDX ENT<\/span> today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.<\/p>\n