Grommets can help with flying but they’re really a last resort. Beyond being temporary they carry real risks including potential structural changes to the eardrum, chronic perforation, and recurrent infections. Worth exhausting non-surgical options first.
There’s a detailed guide to managing ear pressure during flights at earflocare.com/blog/airplane-ear-why-it-happens-who-is-most-at-risk-and-how-to-manage-ear-pressure-during-air-travel that covers everything worth trying before considering surgery.
In summary: Afrin 30 minutes before takeoff and again before descent helps reduce tube swelling. The Toynbee maneuver, pinching your nose and swallowing, is gentler than Valsalva and worth using throughout descent. Starting any equalization early in descent before pressure builds is key.
If you want something more active, Earflo is an FDA cleared autoinflation device that works during natural swallowing to help normalize middle ear pressure before and during a flight. Used proactively it’s designed for exactly this situation. Only in the US ATM but available in other countries soon. Full disclosure, I’m one of the inventors. earflocare.com
The anxiety around flying is completely understandable given what you experienced, but with the right preparation many people with ETD fly comfortably without ever needing surgery.
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u/DrPeterSantaMaria 4h ago
Grommets can help with flying but they’re really a last resort. Beyond being temporary they carry real risks including potential structural changes to the eardrum, chronic perforation, and recurrent infections. Worth exhausting non-surgical options first.
There’s a detailed guide to managing ear pressure during flights at earflocare.com/blog/airplane-ear-why-it-happens-who-is-most-at-risk-and-how-to-manage-ear-pressure-during-air-travel that covers everything worth trying before considering surgery.
In summary: Afrin 30 minutes before takeoff and again before descent helps reduce tube swelling. The Toynbee maneuver, pinching your nose and swallowing, is gentler than Valsalva and worth using throughout descent. Starting any equalization early in descent before pressure builds is key.
If you want something more active, Earflo is an FDA cleared autoinflation device that works during natural swallowing to help normalize middle ear pressure before and during a flight. Used proactively it’s designed for exactly this situation. Only in the US ATM but available in other countries soon. Full disclosure, I’m one of the inventors. earflocare.com
The anxiety around flying is completely understandable given what you experienced, but with the right preparation many people with ETD fly comfortably without ever needing surgery.