At the time of takeoff or landing, the air pressure inside the passenger cabin of the airplane changes. This could lead to temporary hearing loss or to ear pain which can aggravate to an acute ear pain when flying. The severity of the ear pain when flying may increase, if your eustachian tubes are clogged because of either ear infection or sinus infection or both.

Allowing the air to rush in or out of the middle ear, through the unobstructed eustachian tube, will relieve you of ear pain when flying. The best way of achieving this is to try and keep the eustachian tube clear and working.

You can use a nasal decongestant spray as soon as or before you get inside the plane which might clear the sinuses and make your flight an easy one.

The simple act of chewing a gum from the moment you get on the plane till you get off will help you keep the eustachian tube open and avoid ear pain when flying.

Ear plugs are effective in decreasing the ear pain when flying.

About half an hour before landing at your destination, start using the nasal spray every 5 minutes which will help in keeping the nasal passages open.

The swallowing movements of the throat helps in maintaining the eustachian tube open, so try sucking on sweets during the flight.

Avoid sleeping during the flight or wake up before landing and do some swallowing movements to open up the eustachian tube which can help you immensely in controlling ear pain when flying.

If you do get afflicted with ear pain when flying for the first time, pain killers such as paracetamol, can surly relieve you of your ear problems.