When a plane changes altitude rapidly, the air pressure in the cabin shifts faster than the air inside your ear. This creates a vacuum that pulls the eardrum inward, causing that muffled, pressurized sensation. Proven Methods for Immediate Relief 1. The "Open Up" Techniques
Drinking plenty of water throughout the flight thins the mucus in your nasal passages, making it easier for the Eustachian tubes to function. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you and cause nasal membranes to swell. 3. Use Filtered Earplugs airplane ear pressure relief