If anyone has tried these, what do you think of them? These ear planes are supposed to prevent popping & other ear discomfort when one flies: protect your ears from the discomfort and danger of rapid air pressure changes… .
https://www.etravelpaq.com/store/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=126&page_id=23&Item_ID=295
Well, for starters the link didn’t work for me, so I find it hard to judge the product.
I have to wonder about the hype, though - “the discomfort and danger of rapid air pressure changes…” Well, unless you’re suffering from a sinus or ear disorder of some sort commercial air travel should not be undergoing such “rapid changes” as to present a danger. If you are suffering such a disorder go to a doctor and ask his/her advice on how to deal with it.
The old gum-chewing trick is usually more than sufficient for most people’s “ear popping” needs while flying commercially.
Now, I also fly unpressurized airplanes, and let me say that, aside from one ill-advised adventure while not entirely over a sinus infection (my own damn fault) I can’t say I’ve ever experienced pain, or even anything other than the most mild annoyance.
In fact, aside from a blow-out at 30,000 feet, I’m not sure where the “danger” aspect comes in. And, if your airline does decompress at such altitude your ear-popping will probably not be top on your list of concerns, even if it does hurt.
They might be hyping on “sinus block” or “ruptured eardrums” but that shouldn’t be a risk in healthy people, and even with congested idiots (such as myself on one occassion) such complications are quite rare.
But, if they’re cheap, go ahead and try them. They might alleviate any discomfort you personally feel. If they don’t, you’re not out much money.
I’ve never tried them, but I am unclear on how they could possibly work. They would have to somehow allow air to pass the ear drum, and I don’t see how they can accomplish that. Plus, it can be dangerous to place something that far in your ear. AFAIK, the only way to equalize the pressure of the middle ear is through the Eustachian tube, which runs from the middle ear to the throat.
Thanks for info./input. Sometimes SDMB abbreviates the URLs. Here is another:
It’s ridiculous. Chewing gum or working your jaw on the way up, and doing the same on the way down is what you should be doing. If you have some sort of ear block on the way down, vasalva–pinch your nose shut, shut your mouth, and blow until you feel your ears equalize. No product is going to do this for you.
After reading the ad, it’s even more ridiculous. Here’s my favorite line: “EarPlanes, which are recommended by many doctors, are used by pilots and flight attendants.”
Sure.
OK. I think I’ll buy a pack & show it to some flight attendants. Maybe we can all have a good laugh! 
Now I see how they are supposed to work. They don’t actually relieve any pressure, they make the pressure changes occur more slowly. This may help you, or it may not. I actually find it easier to get the pressure to equalize when a large change has occurred, as opposed to a small one. I’ve never had a problem flying in small, unpressurized planes (where pressure changes are fairly rapid), but I have in airliners (where pressure changes are relatively gentle). That’s just me, though. I know that isn’t true for everyone.
Quoting from the advertisement:
Here’s the problem:
The pressure changes that a person experiences while in an airplane does not occur in the ear canal. It occurs in the middle ear space behind your eardrum. The eustachian tubes run from the middle ear space to the back of your throat, and it is those eustachian tubes that help regulate air pressure inside the middle ear space. These “EarPlanes” would do absolutely nothing with regards to the eustachian tubes.
The reason why chewing gum (or even just moving your jaw around) helps is because the action of chewing can lead to the eustachian tubes opening in the back of the throat, thus allowing equalization of air pressure in the middle ears.
These EarPlanes look to me like nothing more than a fraud.
Let’s look at this a little closer…
That’s nice. The aviators tested them. Notice there is no mention of whether they actually worked or not.
Which classification, if I recall correctly, just basically means it won’t kill you if used according to directions - it means nothing in regards to efficacy.
Yeah, well, that’s just dandy but the pain you feel with changing pressure comes from the middle ear, so this helps how…?
Well, YEAH, that’s why you run a real risk, when the air pressure can’t equalize through the Eustachians.
Bogus. Same your money for a pack of gum
My wife and I tried them. She thinks they work and I don’t. I guess in principle, it could be better to have the pressure change more slowly, but I could detect no difference. What works for me when my sinuses are clogged (which is most of the time) is nose spray. You pay a price in the rebound later, but it is worth it for the relief.