Korean Job Discussion Forums

[realworldexperience]

I took a flight from U.S. to Korea and during takeoff, my ears were absolutely perfect. I had a slight cold but nothing more than mucus in the nose and blowing my nose from time to time but my ear never hurt or any other part of my body.

I was seated at a windowed seat and when we descending slowly from about 30-40k ft in the air, my right ear started to get plugged severely and it hurt so much and i dont know why (maybe bcus i was at window seat and i was at the right side of the plane?)

By the time we landed in Incheon airport, i lost almost 90% of my hearing in the right ear and can hear my own words when i talked, clearly in my head. It was such a weird feeling and never have i ever lost my hearing in any ears before like this...

Has anyone experienced ear plugging while traveling on an airplane? Maybe it was because it was only my 2nd time riding on an airplane...

If i go to a doctor in seoul, would they be able to clear my ear right up? Its only my right ear and when i swallow spit, i can hear like shockwaves in my right ear...

I guess it has to do with high altitude pressure right? Should i be worried about permanent damage?

[Globutron]

Just keep yawning until something changes. That's what I do when I get water in my ear.

Though the fact it's presumably been days leads me to believe you're a few hours from death(f)

[realworldexperience]

[Globutron]

You 'ear(d).

[Ruthdes]

Ask a doctor to syringe your ear. It's just pumping warm water into it to clear it out. A similar thing happened to me after snorkelling in the Cook Islands. The next day I went back to Australia, and several days later it was still blocked and driving me crazy. I tried ear candling, which was a stupid waste of time and did nothing to improve it, but the syringing by my doc made a huge difference. I could hear even more clearly than usual after having it done.

Having said that, I'd be a little worried about whether the docs here know how to do it properly. The pressure of the pumped water was pretty high when my doc did it, but I suspect if they did it too hard it could perforate your ear drum. I'd say if you ask them to do it, and they don't understand what you're talking about, go somewhere else.

[Dazed and Confused]

I've had this happen before and it was both ears! I took some decongestants and antihystimes and it eventually cleared up on it's own.

[Steelrails]

Was Khan on your flight? Did you pass by Ceti Alpha V? Are you finding yourself extremely susceptible to suggestions?

[rollo]

Go see a doctor immediately. I had the same thing happen and it led to an infection that took a long time to clear up.

[ed]

used to have that every time my first couple years.

one time a few days after a flight my ear was completely deaf and started leaking a fluid.

I had a doctor punch a hole in my ear and put a tube in and that fixed it.

now every time I fly,I yawn like crazy all the way to the top then do the same all the way to the bottom and never had a problem again.

I recommend this to every student I teach who is going over seas.

[Robbo]

Finally a topic that I am an absolute aurhority on! I have suffered all manner of ear problems since chilhood. The earlier poster was spot on. You need decongestants. Ear candles are useless. See if you can find something with Phenlyepherine, it should be cheap, won't make you feel bad, and will clear up your problem quickly. If you can find nasal spray; that is very effective as well, albeit addictive. In the meantime chew gum as much as possible. I dislike gum but it serves clogged ears well. I hope you feel better!

[oldtactics]

Plugging your nose and blowing out your ears works for me - if it's been more than a few days, I recommend medication and perhaps a doctor's visit.

[Robbo]

To add; blow your nose after taking said meds. Try and have a hot shower as well. Eucalyptus in boiling water should clear the sinus cavity as well; I've never tried it but have no doubt about the theory. It is a sinus issue after all.