How to Clear Blocked Eardrums on an Airplane

Airplane travel is a fast way to get to your destination, especially if you have to travel a long distance. A natural experience on an airplane happens when your ears pop during takeoff and landing. Sometimes your ears need a little help to equalize air pressure that builds up. When your ears don't pop on their own, they can become blocked, leading to an issue called barotrauma, which is ear discomfort caused by pressure differences between the eardrums' outside and inside.

Things You'll Need

• Gum
• Hard candy

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Instructions

• 1

  Chewing gum can help equalize the air pressure in your ears.

  Chew a piece of chewing gum as the airplane takes off and descends for landing. When you chew gum, this allows you ear canals to open and close naturally, relieving the air pressure that builds up.

• 2

  Sucking on a piece of hard candy can help unblock eardrums.

  Suck on a piece of hard candy. Like chewing gum, sucking can help to open and close the ear canals naturally.

• 3

  You can unblock your ears by yawning.

  Yawn as much as you can. Even if you're not tired, yawning can still help to unblock your ears. Simply open your mouth, and wait for a yawn to come.

• 4

  Take a deep breath, and exhale gently while you pinch your nostrils closed and keep your mouth shut. When you breathe out with your nose and mouth closed, the air pressure built up in your ears has a chance of clearing up.