Most cases of airplane ear resolve within a few hours or a couple of days. However, you should seek medical attention if you experience: Severe, sharp pain. Fluid or blood draining from the ear. Hearing loss that persists for more than 48 hours. Severe dizziness or vertigo.

To understand why the ear stops up, one must understand the anatomy of the Eustachian tube.

What you’re experiencing is often “airplane ear” (barotrauma). It happens when the Eustachian tube — the narrow passage that balances pressure between your middle ear and the outside world — can’t keep up with rapid altitude changes during descent. The tube gets stuck closed, creating a vacuum that pulls the eardrum inward.

If you have a cold or allergies, take a decongestant about an hour before landing. When to See a Doctor

Pinch your nostrils shut, close your mouth, and gently try to blow air out through your nose. Caution: Do not blow hard, as this can damage your eardrum.