Airline pilot in the United States shares secret strategy for managing ear pressure during flight, which appears to involve being fatigued.

Airline pilot in the United States shares secret strategy for managing ear pressure during flight, which appears to involve being fatigued.

US airline pilot Captain Steeeve has shared a simple hack to help alleviate ear pressure during takeoff and landing, a common issue for many passengers. This hack, known as the "yawn and Valsalva maneuver," could potentially change the way people travel by reducing discomfort.

The hack involves two easy-to-perform techniques that open the Eustachian tubes and equalize ear pressure.

• Yawning naturally opens the Eustachian tubes, helping balance pressure between the middle ear and the cabin environment.
• The Valsalva maneuver consists of pinching your nostrils shut, closing your mouth, and gently blowing air out as if trying to clear your ears without letting air escape through your nose. This helps push air into the Eustachian tubes to open them and equalize pressure.

These actions relieve ear discomfort caused by pressure changes during airplane ascent or descent by allowing pressure inside the middle ear to match the outside air pressure. The key is to perform the Valsalva maneuver gently to avoid injury.

Other tips include swallowing frequently and chewing gum, which also stimulate the Eustachian tubes to open, preventing ear barotrauma during flights.

Many aviation fans have expressed gratitude for this hack shared by Captain Steeeve online. One user, after using the hack on a flight, thanked Captain Steeeve, while another user mentioned feeling relieved by the hack, wishing they had known about it earlier on a previous flight.

The hack is useful for early morning and late-night flights, and it doesn't require any additional equipment. Captain Steeeve's hack and actions can be viewed in a video below.

[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Ear barotrauma. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ear-barotrauma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374524 [2] American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. (2021). Ear barotrauma. https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/ear-barotrauma/ [4] National Health Service. (2021). Ear barotrauma. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-barotrauma/ [5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Ear Barotrauma. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/aviation/earbarotrauma.html

• The yawning and Valsalva maneuver, a simple hack shared by US airline pilot Captain Steeeve, could potentially revolutionize travel by reducing discomfort associated with ear pressure changes during airplane takeoff and landing.
• Performing the yawning and Valsalva maneuver on flights helps alleviate ear pressure by naturally opening the Eustachian tubes and equalizing pressure in the middle ear, thereby preventing ear barotrauma.
• This hack, which does not require any additional equipment, may be instrumental for people prone to discomfort during early morning or late-night flights, as it can be seen in a video shared by Captain Steeeve.
• The health benefits of this hack extend beyond travel, as these techniques can also be used in everyday life to alleviate ear pressure changes due to science, such as in elevators or when scuba diving.
• Considering the frustrations often associated with travel, the yawning and Valsalva maneuver can contribute to a more comfortable and luxurious lifestyle during journeys, transforming fitness-and-exercise routines, health-and-wellness practices, and overall travel experiences.

Read also: