Little Ears on Airplanes

Updated on September 08, 2013
S.C. asks from Geneva, IL
7 answers

We are thinking of taking a few big trips with our three kids that would involve long air travel but I'm really worried about their ears - particularly for our one daughter had major ear issues before we finally had tubes put in and that resolved the issue.

I have always had pretty serious ear problems on airplanes. I'm not talking about something that chewing gum, sipping water, or taking ibuprofen would help - I'm talking about major, severe, debilitating pain that then lasts for days after a flight. The issue only happens with high altitudes (long, cross-country or international flights). I have tried everything - ear planes, compresses, all of it. I would rather give birth unmedicated than have the kind of pain I'm talking about. And yes, I have an appointment scheduled for myself to figure out if there is anything that can help medically.

I have read that tubes prevent this problem. Does anyone have experience with this? If we did travel cross-country or internationally, I honestly think I'd want my kids to have tubes in, if this is true, to prevent the pain given my history. I can't be 45 minutes into a 10-hour flight and THEN find out my kids have the same issue. But I'm wondering if an ENT would even consider preventative tubes?

The alternative is not traveling by plane, which is what we have done until now.

Any advice? I can suffer through a flight, I just can't handle the thought of my children experiencing this issue.

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So What Happened?

Just for clarification, my ear issues are major ones that are not something normal tactics alleviate. It is major pain. I have given birth three times. I have perspective.

We have had tubes before in one child, and it is a super simple procedure. If you had any idea what kind of pain I'm talking about, you would not be willing to risk your child being in such pain for 10 hours either if there was a simple option to prevent it. :)

I'm honestly just looking to see if there are any parents out there who had to deal with this type of thing and have successfully navigated around it.

Thanks for the responses.

More Answers

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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

I'm so sorry that you've had such awful experiences on airplanes. Does this happen every time you fly? Have you had your ears checked to see if you have a structural issue - like your ears are formed slightly differently? Your problem is so rare that it would be really surprising if your children had the same problem. It would have to be something genetic for them to have the same problem.

So... book the flights. Have a nice trip. And don't stress about this. Your kids will be fine.

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

You know what they say in the diving world - equalise early and often. Just keep equalising. Teach your children to equalise often, often, often. It's really important to get that first one in early though. If you miss the opportunity then you're stuffed.

Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

My daughter had had tubes put in for chronic ear infections before she made her first flight and had no ear issues on the plane.
But there is NO WAY IN HELL I would even consider putting my kids through surgery, even a minor outpatient one such as ear tubes, just for the sake of a flight.

E.C.

answers from Dallas on

dum dum lolipops work best for my daughter

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from New York on

Your history and your kids history are not necessarily the same.

Explain to them how to relieve the pressure (holding nose and blowing is a good way) and make them start doing it early on as they feel the pressure. Try not to let your bad experiences rub off on them. Let them know it's easy to relieve and just move on with it. Kids are super resilient. Their ears should pop in no time once they have landed.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

You want preventative tubes put in but you are worried about the one with tubes in. Huh.

Just get on the plane. Make sure you have Motrin. Enjoy your trips.

I cannot believe there is a doctor out there that would put tubes in because your kids were going to fly. If a doctor agreed to this, he should reported!
I have never ever heard of tubes preventing problems on planes. Why do you think because you have an issue, your kids would.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.S.

answers from Chicago on

I understand your not wanting your kids to be in pain, but if your daughter's tubes are still in, she shouldn't have too much pressure in her ear drums. And, as I'm sure you remember, inserting tubes is major surgery for kids -- including general anesthesia, pain, etc. And then you have to do ear drops for a week and then ear plugs any time they are in water for pretty much ever. I would not subject that on anyone unnecessarily, especially my child(ren). However, I do think that meeting with a pediatric ENT might assuage some of your concerns. Perhaps you liked the one who did your daughter's tubes? Or your doctor can recommend one? We have some good ones we've worked with at Children's Hospital here in Chicago -- Dr. Jonathan Ida and Dr. Kathy Billings. I have a friend who has issues with her ears and flying, and her doctor told her she needed to not take 2 flights in one day. Maybe breaking the travel up would also be a good idea. Good luck!

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