Ears not popping after flying

[deltadukman]

So after my trip last week to Steamboat Springs, CO I get home last Friday and still my ears havent popped from elevation change. I was up in the mountains for a week and on the last day started getting some conjestion. As we drove to Denver my ears never really equalized. 2 flights later and they were clogged up bad. Figured they would have loosened up by now but they havent. I figure its because I may be a little conjested still. Im taking some of the good DM deconjestant and a strong antibiotic. Any other remedies? This stuff has to get gone.

[ScottyLee]

i was having major sinus pressure issues in my ears, went to the chiropractor he did some realigning and popping. it wasn't 5 minutes after i walked out of that office, my ears popped like they never have before as the pressure equalized. it shouldn't cost you more than 25 bucks for a visit. worth a shot

[jbs38654]

Stick your finger in your butt

[CharlieB]

Look up, hold your nose, and swallow. If that doesn't work, chew gum and stretch your neck for a few minutes and try again. Otherwise "consult your physician"

That's how I get my ears to clear when I'm diving. Which is the opposite scenario from being in the mountains, but the same clearing methods are used.

[duckter]

I'm with you on this one. Has happened to me on several occasions.

[mudsucker]

Stick your finger in your butt

That's how he built up pressure in the first place.

[CL]

Hold your nose and purse your lips tight and blow without letting air through your lips--do it hard until you feel your middle ear manually inflate. At this point, let go of nose and loosen lips. Swallow hard a few times, open and close your jaw as wide as you can, even yawn. This will usually cause the Eustachian tube in the middle ear to open and let the pressure out. If you have a cold or sinus crud you may have some middle ear fluid also (not necessarily a middle ear infection) so this manuever may not help until the meds "dry" up the fluid.

[Muddy Boots]

When I flew in the military, the flight surgen would recommed flying with some Afrin nasal spray. Tilt your head back and hold your neck straight on the side that's plugged up. Give yourself a couple of sprays in the nose on the side that's plugged up. Spray has a direct shot down the estation tube and usually clears it up. We used this technique when we would descend and our ears blocked up. Recommend you go to an Ear/Nose and Throat Doctor if it doesn't get better.

[tdaggett]

I fly every day, and when you're congested, the Afrin really works. You might also try getting the tap water in your sink going full on hot, draping a towel over your head, and steaming a bit. The higher elevations will sometimes really dry you out and you need some moisture even though you're back in the muggy south. A combination of steam and Afrin should do the trick. Chewing gum during your flight will help you to not become stopped up by continually " popping" before any pressure builds up, but realistically, you wouldn't be able to chew gum 24/7 while you're in Co.