How To Clear Your Ears After Flying Jun 2026

If forcing air feels uncomfortable, try these methods that rely on muscle movement to open the tubes naturally.

How to Clear Your Ears After Flying: A Complete Guide to Relief how to clear your ears after flying

Avoid using nasal sprays for more than 3 consecutive days, as they can cause "rebound congestion," making the problem worse. If forcing air feels uncomfortable, try these methods

Do not blow too hard, as this can damage your eardrum. You should feel a slight "pop" when the tubes open. 2. The Toynbee Maneuver You should feel a slight "pop" when the tubes open

When you fly, the around you changes rapidly. Your Eustachian tube —the small canal connecting your middle ear to the back of your nose—is responsible for equalizing this pressure. If the tube is blocked or fails to open, it creates a vacuum in the middle ear, pulling the eardrum inward and causing that "stuffed" or painful sensation known as ear barotrauma . Effective Methods for Clearing Your Ears 1. The Valsalva Maneuver This is the most common technique for "popping" ears.