Your ears will thank you. Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for persistent ear symptoms or pain.

Don’t wait until your ears hurt. Start equalizing 30 minutes before landing. Use the Valsalva or swallow/yawn method every few minutes as the plane loses altitude. What If Your Ears Are Stuffed From a Cold? Never perform forceful Valsalva if you have a cold, sinus infection, or allergies. Blowing air into a mucus-filled tube can push bacteria into your middle ear, causing an infection.

That “clogged” sensation is formally known as , and it happens when the Eustachian tube (the tiny passage connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat) gets blocked.