Only use these for a short period, as long-term use can cause "rebound" congestion. 6. The "Earplanes" Trick
That annoying, muffled sensation in your ears after a flight—often called "airplane ear"—is more than just a nuisance. It’s caused by a pressure imbalance between the air in your middle ear and the air outside. While your ears usually equalize on their own, sometimes they need a little help. 1. The Valsalva Maneuver This is the most common method for equalizing ear pressure. how to pop ears after flight