Prevention of barotitis media includes:
- Perform Valsalva maneuver when flying.
- Close your mouth and pinch your nose.
- Take a deep breath.
- Expel the air from your lungs against the pinched nose and closed mouth: this forces air into the middle ear.
- Use special ear plugs while flying.
EarPlanes are special earplugs that may decrease the uncomfortable feeling in the ears commonly associated with air travel. The ceramic pressure regulator in EarPlanes slows the flow of air into and out of the ear canal, lessening the air pressure difference on the exterior and interior of the middle ear and helping the Eustachian tubes to function more normally. This device can be found in many pharmacies and airport gift shops.
