Travel tips: Avoid 'airplane ear'

However, we might have forgotten that travelling can take a toll on our bodies. For instance, flying can really affect our ears.

A condition aptly called 'airplane ear', can occur when your eardrum and middle ear experience stress due to air pressure changes in the cabin. This can cause feelings of discomfort and fullness in your ears and can cause sound to be muffled. Although it is rarely serious, if you have ongoing symptoms after a trip, like reduced hearing or ringing in the ears, best to get your GP to check it out.

Not everyone is affected equally, and symptoms can range from tolerable ear popping to severe pain, and even temporary hearing loss in some cases. It's important to take steps to look after your ears and hearing to ensure you have an enjoyable holiday.

First things first, for those that already have a hearing loss, and wear hearing aids permanently, make sure you visit your local hearing care professional before you jet off to ensure your devices are in good shape - no one wants to feel uncomfortable on holiday.

Be prepared, make sure you pack your cleaning tools, spare batteries non-rechargeable hearing aids, extra domes, wax guards and charging case as relevant for your devices.

When flying there is no need to remove your hearing aids to go through security unless asked to by airport staff. Be aware that many airports have loop systems that can help you hear important announcements more clearly. Most modern hearing aids have flight mode, it is recommended you activate this the same way you would for your mobile phone.

With the advent of rechargeable hearing aids there are now travel bank changers like the Oticon Smart Charger that allows you multiple hearing aid charges without the need to find a power source; this is super handy when in transit or move around often.

If you don't wear hearing aids, do what you can to reduce the level of cabin noise and protect your ears from as much pressure as possible - noise-cancelling headphones are a great way to do this.

Both activities help engage the muscles that open you Eustachian tube - that links the nasopharynx to the middle ear. By opening this tube, you can relieve pressure, therefore reducing the likelihood or popping or pain. Chewing gum or sucking on a lollie can also help!

Drinking lots of fluids - preferably water - during a flight will make you feel better because the pressurised air in the cabin doesn't have as much oxygen as you get on the ground, and it can make you feel sluggish and tired. The swallowing action will also help keep the air pressure in your ears equal to that outside them.

Opt for air-pressure regulating ear plugs. These are cheap, re-usable and can be bought at most airport chemists. Essentially, these ear plugs slow the rate of air pressure on the eardrum.

It's important you're awake during these times so that you can yawn and swallow, to even out the pressure in your ears. If you're asleep and don't get to do this, you may experience a pressure build up which can lead to pain, popping or more extreme consequences like ringing or temporary hearing loss.

If you are planning to be away for a while, or you're concerned about your ears while flying, do your due diligence and book yourself in for a hearing test before you head off. A quick check is free and only takes 15 minutes. Find out where your nearest Audika clinic is here.

Next time you're due to fly, try these tips to ensure you mitigate the risks of airplane ear and have a comfortable journey.

Lauren McNee is an audiologist and clinical trainer at Audika