Is ear-popping normal

Is it normal for an airline pilot, or any pilot, to experience ear-popping,
lower volume, and sometimes ear pain during ascent and descent (but mainly
descent)?

[Bob Gardner]

Yes. Read AIM 8-1-2(c). There should be no pain, however. Airline cabins are
pressurized to about 8000 feet, so when the front office people start the
cabin descending, your ears have to adjust to the changing pressure. GA
pilots regularly fly at altitudes higher than 8000 and get more practice at
equalizing pressure.

Bob Gardner

<a> wrote in message ...
> Is it normal for an airline pilot, or any pilot, to experience
ear-popping,
> lower volume, and sometimes ear pain during ascent and descent (but mainly
> descent)?
>
>

[gatt]

<a> wrote in message ...
> Is it normal for an airline pilot, or any pilot, to experience
ear-popping,
> lower volume, and sometimes ear pain during ascent and descent (but mainly
> descent)?

Very normal. Can happen with your sinuses and with poor dental work, too.

-c

[Bill Denton]

Best method of dealing with it is to "pinch" your nostrils closed, then very
gently "blow" your nose.

Another method is to chew gum...


"gatt" > wrote in message
...
>
> <a> wrote in message ...
> > Is it normal for an airline pilot, or any pilot, to experience
> ear-popping,
> > lower volume, and sometimes ear pain during ascent and descent (but
mainly
> > descent)?
>
> Very normal. Can happen with your sinuses and with poor dental work,
too.
>
> -c
>
>

[Peter Duniho]

"Bill Denton" > wrote in message
...
> Best method of dealing with it is to "pinch" your nostrils closed, then
very
> gently "blow" your nose.

Note: this is fine for a descent. It's exactly the opposite of what you
want during an ascent.

> Another method is to chew gum...

Works going up or down too. :)

Pete

[David Brooks]

"Peter Duniho" > wrote in message
...
> "Bill Denton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Best method of dealing with it is to "pinch" your nostrils closed, then
> very
> > gently "blow" your nose.
>
> Note: this is fine for a descent. It's exactly the opposite of what you
> want during an ascent.

Pinch your nostrils open and gently suck your nose? The mind boggles.

-- David Brooks

[Peter Duniho]

"David Brooks" > wrote in message
...
> Pinch your nostrils open and gently suck your nose? The mind boggles.

Smart ass. I meant it's exactly the opposite *result* from what you want
during an ascent (for those few people who didn't get it...and David, I know
you're NOT one of them...did I mention you're being a smart ass? :) ).

Though, it does make me wonder...could you accomplish the desired result by
pinching your nose and gently breathing in?

Pete

[Darrell]

In the Air Force that was referred to as the "valve salvo" maneuver. It
sometimes helps to try to swallow the pressure you're holding.

--

B-58 Hustler History: http://members.cox.net/dschmidt1/
-

"Bill Denton" > wrote in message
...
> Best method of dealing with it is to "pinch" your nostrils closed, then
very
> gently "blow" your nose.
>
> Another method is to chew gum...
>
>
> "gatt" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > <a> wrote in message ...
> > > Is it normal for an airline pilot, or any pilot, to experience
> > ear-popping,
> > > lower volume, and sometimes ear pain during ascent and descent (but
> mainly
> > > descent)?
> >
> > Very normal. Can happen with your sinuses and with poor dental work,
> too.
> >
> > -c
> >
> >
>
>

[Peter Duniho]

"Darrell" > wrote in message
news:25xic.31199$L75.7274@fed1read06...
> In the Air Force that was referred to as the "valve salvo" maneuver.

Valsalva, actually. It's not just the Air Force that uses the term.
Though, I suppose they could have been the ones to corrupt it into "valve
salvo"...but I'm guessing that's just you, since I've never heard it called
"valve salvo" before. :)

[John Gaquin]

"Peter Duniho" > wrote in message >
> Valsalva, actually. It's not just the Air Force that uses the term.
> Though, I suppose they could have been the ones to corrupt it into "valve
> salvo"...but I'm guessing that's just you, since I've never heard it
called
> "valve salvo" before. :)


Yes. Valsalva, or more properly "Valsalva's maneuver". Forcing expiration
pressure against a closed airway. Named for Antonio Valsalva, Italian
medico of the early 18th century, I believe.