According to a survey conducted by Deafness Research UK, 70% of those who fly will experience some kind of health-related problem and ear pain ranks number one, with a whopping 34% experiencing ear pain during a flight. According to Vivienne Michael, CEO of Deafness Research UK, “Ear pain in the air can ruin many people’s holiday before it has even started. More worryingly, it can lead to much more serious hearing problems in people who have a bad cold when they fly.”

Air travelers need to be prepared for pressure changes in the cabin particularly if they have ear congestion, a head cold or any level of ear pressure before they even board the plane. The single most common reason for ear pain during flight is directly related to what is called a Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. The Eustachian tube is a very small tube that runs from the bottom of the middle ear chamber to the back of the throat (see image on the bottom left of this page) By design, the Eustachian tube is unobstructed and its function is to keep the inner ear equalized with the pressure in the local environment, in this case the cabin of the aircraft. However, if your Eustachian tube is clogged as a result of an inner ear infection, swelling , mucus or rapid pressure changes, you will likely experience moderate to severe pain during the flight. A dysfunctional Eustachian tube can put debilitating pressure on your eardrum and is not easily remedied. The best way to avoid having a high pressure Eustachian Tube Dysfunction that may linger for days is to do all you can to keep the tube open and functioning. Thousands of people have used the Ear Ease to provide direct heat to the affected area at the first indicator of pressure. In this manner the buildup of pressure can be dramatically reduced as the Eustachian tube equalizes remains functional and equalizes the pressure.

While using the Ear Ease you may notice your plugged ears releasing pressure and this is what some people refer to as “popping”. This is simply the Eustachian tube opening and closing while under pressure as it works to maintain pressure equalization. It can sometimes happen several times in a row while landing as this is the period of the flight when the pressure changes most rapidly. The same sensation may also occur during assent as the pressure in the cabin keeps changing.

The Ear Ease was developed by a Medical Doctor who was also a private pilot and had experienced extreme discomfort as a result of cabin pressure changes in flight.