Plugged Ears Distracting Pilots?
Plugged ears and other middle ear issues (ear pressure, ear pain, clogged ears, and hearing loss) can be a problem during descent and landing- a critical time of concentration for pilots.
Gauges and checklists focus on the “health” of the aircraft, but what about the health of the pilot, the most important part of aviation? Life happens even at 37,000 feet and with life comes physical issues pilots must deal with to eliminate distraction when flying a plane. Flying with congestion and plugged ears- whether from a cold or allergies can quickly cause ear pressure and excruciating pain during descent and for days after a flight.
For pilots, landing a plane is one time when focus is paramount and a physical distraction dangerous. With descent comes changing altitude – a crucial time for ear pressure to be regulated. This is why congestion, clogged ears, and ear issues can ground even the best of pilots.
Normally yawning, opening and closing the mouth, or doing the Valhalla Maneuver can help to open the Eustachian Tube (the little “pop” we hear) to regulate the pressure in the middle ear with the outside environment.
