If you’re unlucky enough to be someone who gets ear pain when you catch a flight, we know how excruciating it can be.
Sometimes no matter how much you chew gum or hold your nose and blow, your ears stay blocked and get pretty darn painful.
But one TikToker may just have come to your rescue, in the form of a video that’s racked up nearly 4 million views on the platform.
In the clip, mum-of-one @babygriffin shared a hack she was recommended by a flight attendant who spotted her struggling. Having gone from feeling like her ‘ear drum was going to explode during descent’, it helped her ease the pain – and she’s sworn by it ever since.
It’s super easy to master this trick: start by taking a coffee cup, a washcloth and some napkins, then place them in the bottom of the cup.
Next, use really hot water to get the cloth and napkins damp (but not wet, as you don’t want to burn yourself), hold the cup over your ear, and press it to the side of your head.
Although unfortunately it isn’t a solution to fully equalising your ears, the steam is said to help alleviate the pain you feel in your ear. And with instant results, it provides a welcome relief.
The young mum was told by her flight attendant she could order these on the plane, so you might be able to on your airline too. If you can’t DIY your own, it’s worth a try.
‘I owe that girl,’ she wrote in the TikTok’s caption. ‘Apparently it’s a trick not a lot of people are aware of.’
It seems she’s not the only one to use this hack though, with one TikToker saying in the comments: ‘Hot cup hack saved me on a flight to Cancun.’
What does a doctor say?
Metro enlisted the help of Dr Lawrence Cunningham from Help & Advice to determine if the ‘hot cup’ hack is worth trying.
He explains: ‘The heat from the cup might help with ear pressure pain by relaxing the area around the ear and improving blood flow.
‘The warmth could help ease tension in the muscles and tissues, which might make it a bit easier for the Eustachian tubes (which balance ear pressure, drain fluid, and protect the middle ear from harmful substances) to open and balance the pressure.’
‘While it’s not a medically proven method, the heat might feel soothing and provide some relief for certain people.’
It doesn’t necessarily align with the tried and tested solutions, but according to Dr Cunningam, that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.
In terms of the other methods available for easing your ear pain on a flight, Dr Cunningham suggests: ‘Swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum to help open the Eustachian tubes
‘The Valsalva manoeuvre, where you gently blow with your nose pinched shut, is a tried-and-true method. This technique equalises the pressure by forcing air through the Eustachian tubes.
‘I always recommend consulting a GP if ear pain persists though, as there could be underlying issues to address.’
Why do some people struggle with equalising their ears?
It comes down to individual differences in Eustachian tube function apparently.
‘Some people have tubes that open and close more easily, making pressure changes less noticeable,’ Dr Cunninhgam says.
‘I’d say that age, allergies, and even minor anatomical differences can play a role in how effectively someone can equalise pressure.’
In his experience, children tend to be most susceptible as a result of their narrower Eustachian tubes, but he adds: ‘Frequent flyers and individuals with sinus issues also report more problems, possibly due to repeated exposure or inflammation.’
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