Foam earplugs vs. cabin pressurization.
So, I'm presently serving in the USAF, and as such I travel frequently, be it TDY's, deployment, or simply going home on leave. I've noticed recently that wearing foam earplugs not only cuts down on the noise of children who decide a confined space is a great place to start wailing their little lungs out ear shattering levels, but it also serves the purpose of retarding the rate at which cabin pressure enters the ear, thus significantly dampening the pain until you adjust. Has anyone else ever noted such a phenomena? Or is this possibly some kind of placebo effect brought on by the foam plugs.
If you're getting PAIN from cabin pressure changes at anything approaching normal cabin climb and descent rates, something in your head is broken. Pressure is normal, and you should be able to equalize it easily by yawning, swallowing, chewing gum, etc...
I've never gotten pain from cabin pressure changes...
Agree, that there should not be any pain from pressure changes. I've never had any pain from pressure changes, with or without foam earplugs. And that includes being in a completely unpressurized cabin, at 30000+ feet.
Originally Posted By Mryenko:
If you're getting PAIN from cabin pressure changes at anything approaching normal cabin climb and descent rates, something in your head is broken. Pressure is normal, and you should be able to equalize it easily by yawning, swallowing, chewing gum, etc...
I've never gotten pain from cabin pressure changes...
Between that and the motion sickness I am doubled over in pain in my seat when flying.
I HATE the airport, flying, planes, all of it.
ETA: I got some of the "Earplanes" plugs with a check valve and they make it tolerable, but it's still not something I want to do.
Ive been onboard during relatively rapid decompressions, and rather rapid compressions, (maintenance checks, in both cases, so the absolute pressures were greater, as well as relative pressures,) WELL above the rates that are usual for commercial travel, and have never experienced anything like what you two are describing. I'd go see an otolaryngologist, and make sure nothing is wrong.
Originally Posted By booger_hooker:
So, I'm presently serving in the USAF, and as such I travel frequently, be it TDY's, deployment, or simply going home on leave. I've noticed recently that wearing foam earplugs not only cuts down on the noise of children who decide a confined space is a great place to start wailing their little lungs out ear shattering levels, but it also serves the purpose of retarding the rate at which cabin pressure enters the ear, thus significantly dampening the pain until you adjust. Has anyone else ever noted such a phenomena? Or is this possibly some kind of placebo effect brought on by the foam plugs.
Pain from cabin pressure is all about DIFFERENTIAL.
Your earplugs make the issue worse not better.
My fitted ear plugs had to be "burped" during ascents and descents or pain would result.
