Can you fly with eustachian tube dysfunction

The tube opens to allow air to pass into or out of the middle ear to equalise the middle ear pressure to the air pressure outside the body.

As the plane ascends, the air pressure reduces. The eustachian tube needs to work to allow movement of air from the middle ear, to reduce the middle ear pressure to match the pressure outside the body. As the plane descends, the reverse happens; air moves into the middle ear through the eustachian tube. If the eustachian tube is not working well and pressure in the middle ear is suddenly much higher or much lower than the air pressure outside the body, you will have ear pain and a blocked ear feeling.

This is called eustachian tube dysfunction with barotrauma pressure trauma. Eustachian tube dysfunction can be permanent or temporary. It is especially important for children to avoid flying with an ear infection as they are at higher risk due to having narrower Eustachian tubes. If you must fly when you have an ear infection then you can reduce the risk of serious problems by making sure that you clear your ears several times as you take off and land.

You can do this by chewing gum or swallowing. It might also help to use a decongestant or nasal spray before you fly as this can reduce the inflammation that is making your Eustachian tubes narrower.

It is also a good idea to consult a doctor before you fly. You may be able to take medication such as antibiotics to speed up your recovery. The doctor can also check your ears and confirm whether it is safe for you to fly. If you have a very severe ear infection then it may be necessary to delay your travel plans to avoid serious problems. The Harley Stre The Harley Street ENT clinic in London can provide all of the care that you need when you have an ear, nose, throat or balance problem.

We ensure that you can get all of the right tests, treatments and advice in one convenient place. We also deal directly with the insurance companies saving you the trouble of paying first and then reclaiming.

Patients funding their own treatment will be provided with consultation fees and the potential cost of onward treatment at the time of booking their appointment. By The Harley Stre Ear Infection , Ear 0 Comments. When Should You Avoid Flying? Share this post. Popular Recent. Jul 31, What Can Cause Bad Breath? Activate Account. Create a New Account.

Forgot Username or Password? Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Related to Flying Individuals with Eustachian tube problems may experience difficulty equalizing their middle ear pressure when flying. Previous Section Next Section. Ear Institute Learn more about the Stanford Ear Clinic, specializing in otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery. We care for adult patients with a wide variety of complicated ear problems. Clinical Trials. MyHealth Login. Financial Assistance. Medical Records.

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