Zebra

Hey guys,

I am obviously a new member here and I just had a few questions related to pilots ears. I've flown recently in a commercial plane and had a terrible expirence during decent. I absolutely love flying but both times on the decent my ear got stuck. The first flight it was just a little discomfort and the second time I was in tremendous pain and actually lost my hearing in my right ear for about a day and a half.

My right ear has had a lot of problems since I was a kid. It got a lot of ear infections and has very high negative pressure, according to my ENT guy he said I should actually do the valsulva (spelling?) at least once a day to try and open my ear back up. The only problem is my ear goes into a state of deafness when I do this, everything becomes very muffled and slightly painful and I have to actually reverse valsulva to solve the problem.

Anyway my point is, could I not become a pilot due to this strange disorder? It's been happening for about 15 years of my life now and it's not a huge deal for everyday life but really limits my time in the skies anyone else heard of this problem before? Any advice would be great!

P.s: I posted this in the military section because these pilots deal with insane elevation changes very quickly and seem to never have to clear their ears, do you just get used to it?

Thanks again!

Sputnik

First, we clear our ears constantly, that's how you avoid problems. Valsalva early and often.

Sounds like you might need a new ENT if s/he can't tell you what exactly is causing your problems. Though are you sure you are doing valsalva correctly?

Also, might consider always flying with a bottle of affrin.

Zebra

I have heard that nasal spray could open the tubes and make it easier I've also heard about tubes in the ears as an alternative. And yes I am doing the maneuver correctly (according to the ENT lol) but I can achieve the same effect yawning or drinking something and this happens in everyday life. I think it comes down to try flying more often and trying to find a solution. I just don't want to get to a flight school and end up having to drop it cause of my ear limitations :/

JamesNoBrakes

The only time I have to do a valsalva is when I'm congested, and then if I do it much it does get painful, because your body wasn't intended to work that way.

Zebra

Right makes sense... I guess the main question is, is this something I should worry about if I want to apply to flight school?

UAL T38 Phlyer

It's going to be an issue.

Most experienced pilots, and especially fighter guys (since we can climb or descend 10,000 ft in less than 20 seconds) learn to valsalva without the traditional "nose pinch."

I can do mine by flexing my jaw forward, which works even with an oxygen mask. When travelling on an airliner with a small child, I get them to yawn, chew gum, or laugh...anything that moves the jaw, and therefore (in most people) the eustachian tubes' opening in the throat.

The ability to valsalva is part of every civil and military flight physical that I've ever done. They look in your ear, and ask you to do it.

You may have some scar tissue or other abnormality in a eustachian, and if that is the case, I'm afraid it might be disqualifying.

But I'd get an aeromedical doctor's opinion, not an ENT.

jumppilot

Original poster,

I'm not sure about military aviation, but for civilian aviation (including airlines) you can fly with ear tubes. I've had them for 4 years after an unsettling experience much like yours.

I've had chronic sinus issues for quite awhile. One time on descent I experienced what is known as pressure vertigo. Basically you can't clear your ears and you get dizzy. I couldn't vasalva. At all.

The next day I made an appointment to get ear tubes installed. I had them in for 4 years and ironically had them removed today. I needed to get control of my sinus issues before I had them removed.

I've had 3 different ENTs and 4 sinus surgeries. It wasn't until my third ENT that a permanent solution was found. So please, get different opinions.

But based on what you said your issue is, I'd suggest ear tubes.

I'm a 737 FO with a major airline. First class medical and all.

Oh, and you're probably freaking out because flying is your dream. Been there. On the CIVILIAN side, the rule of thumb is if you can correct it medically, you can fly. We've had guys have heart attacks and after some time off they are back in the cockpit. So, at least on the civilian side, I'm sure you'll be a pilot if you want to be.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss further.

AirGunner

I always fly with afrin, considering my allergies act up from time to time. However, it's always used as a "get me down" not as an excuse to fly congested. I remember one trip to Yuma doing HALO's a pilot learned the hard way not to use afrin as a "get me up"....7 day dnif for him and free time to go to Mexico for me..

rickair7777

If you need it to go up, you'll be in a world of hurt on the way down...

badflaps

Have you tried a "netty pot", works wonders, but not for everybody. I haven't had sinus problems or a cold for two years.