Ask The Expert March 05, 2013 Many people get ear pain when they
travel by airplane. This is from pressure building up behind the
eardrum, a membrane between the outer ear (ear canal) and the
middle ear. During takeoff and landing, there is a rapid change
in air pressure inside the plane. The pressure in the outer ear
becomes different from that in the middle ear. Pain is felt as
the eardrum moves away from an area of higher pressure. The
Eustachian tube, a connection between the middle ear and the
back of the nose and throat, normally acts to equalize pressure
changes. For most adults, the pain they feel with takeoff or
landing is brief. It’s relieved when the ears “pop” as the
Eustachian tube opens and eases the pressure. But in many
children, the Eustachian tube does not function as well as in an
adult. Plus, the tube can be temporarily blocked by colds,
allergies or ear infections. This can result in mild to severe
ear pain. There are some simple things you can do during takeoff
and landing to help open t