# Do ear planes work? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 5, 2002, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039 "2002-04-05T18:33:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/1 "2002-04-05T18:33:13Z")
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](https://www.etravelpaq.com/store/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=126&page_id=23&Item_ID=295) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/2 "2002-04-05T20:10:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/3 "2002-04-05T20:20:44Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/4 "2002-04-05T20:44:26Z")
Thanks for info./input. Sometimes SDMB abbreviates the URLs. Here is another: [http://www.spinnerspilotshop.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/scstore/p-ocat001.html?L+scstore+tpwx1490ff7f247f+1018049947](http://www.spinnerspilotshop.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/scstore/p-ocat001.html?L+scstore+tpwx1490ff7f247f+1018049947) > [@](#): > > EarPlanes are a patented pressure-regulating earplug inserted in the ear to help reduce discomfort often associated with air travel. They were developed by Cirrus Healthcare Products LLC in conjunction with the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, and have been tested by US Navy aviators at the Miramar Navel Air Station in San Diego. The US Food and Drug Administration has designated EarPlanes as a “class 1” medical devise, and as such, they may be purchased over the counter without a prescription. > > EarPlanes consist of two elements: a hypoallergenic silicone ear plug and a ceramic pressure regulator. The silicone earplug has four circumferential rings which provide an airtight seal between the product and ear canal. The ceramic element is a controlled porosity filter, one end of which is exposed to the external cabin pressure, with the opposite end exposed to the sealed chamber formed when the ear plug is inserted in the ear. Thus, as the cabin air pressure changes, a pressure differential is created across the ceramic filter, thereby causing air to flow through the filter. The filter acts as an impedance to the flow of air into and out of the ear canal. > > EarPlanes are intended for people with sensitive ears or people who must fly even though suffering with a cold, allergy or sinus condition - not recommended in the event of severe sinus congestion (completely blocked Eustachian tubes). ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/5 "2002-04-05T20:45:17Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/6 "2002-04-05T20:48:24Z")
OK. I think I’ll buy a pack & show it to some flight attendants. Maybe we can all have a good laugh! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/7 "2002-04-05T21:06:19Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/8 "2002-04-05T21:54:44Z")
Quoting from the advertisement: > [@](#): > > The filter acts as an impedance to the flow of air into and out of the ear canal. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2002, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/9 "2002-04-06T04:21:31Z")
Let’s look at this a little closer… > [@](#): > > They were developed by Cirrus Healthcare Products LLC in conjunction with the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, and have been tested by US Navy aviators at the Miramar Navel Air Station in San Diego. That’s nice. The aviators tested them. Notice there is no mention of whether they actually _worked_ or not. > [@](#): > > The US Food and Drug Administration has designated EarPlanes as a “class 1” medical devise, and as such, they may be purchased over the counter without a prescription. 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. > [@](#): > > Thus, as the cabin air pressure changes, a pressure differential is created across the ceramic filter, thereby causing air to flow through the filter. The filter acts as an impedance to the flow of air into and out of the ear canal. Yeah, well, that’s just dandy but the pain you feel with changing pressure comes from the _middle ear_, so this helps how…? > [@](#): > > not recommended in the event of severe sinus congestion (completely blocked Eustachian tubes). 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 ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2002, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ear-planes-work/102039/10 "2002-04-06T18:14:24Z")
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.