Preparing for an appointment

If you have severe pain or symptoms associated with airplane ear that don't improve with self-care techniques, talk to your family doctor or a general practitioner. You might then be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list of:

• Your symptoms and when they began
• All medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including doses
• Questions to ask your doctor

Questions for your doctor about airplane ear might include:

• Is my ear discomfort likely related to my recent airplane travel?
• What is the best treatment?
• Am I likely to have long-term complications?
• How can I prevent this from happening again?
• Should I consider canceling travel plans?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will ask you questions, including:

• How severe are your symptoms?
• Do you have allergies?
• Have you had a cold, sinus infection or ear infection recently?
• Have you had airplane ear before?
• Were your past experiences with airplane ear prolonged or severe?

What you can do in the meantime

To treat pain, you might take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), or a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).