For aviation workers and frequent flyers alike, understanding the effects of flying on the ears is crucial. The changes in altitude and also the constant noise of the jet engines can cause discomfort, ear pain, more serious conditions like barotrauma and also hearing loss in the future. In this blog, we’ll explore how flying affects your ears, the importance of being able to equalise pressure, and the importance of ear wax removal to ensure your ear health during flights.
Pressure changes
Flying involves rapid changes in altitude, which can lead to ear discomfort and pain. As the aircraft ascends or descends, the air pressure in the cabin changes, and the middle ear, which controls pressure balance, needs to adjust to prevent discomfort. If the pressure in the middle ear does not equalise with the outside air pressure, it can cause ear discomfort and in some cases, barotrauma, which is the stretching of and injury to the eardrum.
Symptoms of Barotrauma include:
- Severe ear pain or discomfort
- A feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear
- Hearing loss or muffled sounds
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
For aviation workers, frequent exposure to these altitude changes can exacerbate these symptoms, making it even more important to regularly assess and maintain ear health.
When flying it is essential you understand how to equalise your ears properly so you can balance ear pressure and avoid discomfort. If you are having difficulty, you may have an issue with your Eustachian tube. Visit The Ear Nurses for an assessment of your ears.
Aviation Ground Work & Ear Health
- Noise levels: Jet engines and ground equipment can exceed the safe limit of 85 dB (decibels).
- Damage: Prolonged exposure to decibels at this level can cause permanent damage to the cochlear ear cells, resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus
- Risks increase: Inconsistent ear protection, long shifts, and other health factors can accelerate damage. Once the cochlear cells are damaged by loud noise, they cannot repair.
Aviation Workers and Ears: Protection
- Earplugs + Earmuffs: Use double protection near engines
- Fit & training: Proper insertion and good seals are critical.
- Monitoring: Baseline and annual hearing tests catch early changes.
- Noise breaks: Rotate duties and reduce off-work noise to limit cumulative exposure.
Consistent, correctly fitted hearing protection is the best way to prevent long-term tinnitus and hearing loss in aviation ground workers.
Ear Care for Aviation Workers
Ear wax protects the ear, but a buildup can block pressure equalisation, causing pain, discomfort, and hearing loss – especially during flying. Aviation workers will benefit from regular, professional ear cleaning and microsuction is the gentlest and most effective method. Gently removing wax without pushing it deeper or damaging the ear canal.
Why Annual Ear Checks Matter
Routine assessments help prevent wax buildup, infections, and pressure-related issues. The Ear Nurses provide thorough assessments of your ear canals and eardrum, and use gentle microsuction to clear the canals of wax and other debris. They can also help you with techniques for optimal equalisation. This helps to reduce the risk of in-flight issues.
Key Takeaways
- Regular ear wax removal supports pressure equalisation.
- Professional microsuction is the preferred method of ear cleaning
- Annual ear checks help detect and prevent problems early.
- Book with The Ear Nurses to keep your ears ready for takeoff.
Understand the broader health effects of environmental noise, including hearing impairment and cardiovascular issues.
🔗 https://www.who.int/health-topics/noise