ear infections

[Buckeye757]

I've recently come down with an ear infection ( as unusual as it is for a 19 year old to get an ear infection) and I'm thanking my lucky stars that I don't have to fly home this weekend. Have any of you guys ever been unfortuneate enough to fly with an ear infection or head cold?

 

[SDpilot]

Last summer I was flying, and I noticed something kinda slimy rolling down the side of my face. My first thought was that it was either an ear infection or swimmer's ear (because I surf a lot during the summer), and by the time I landed and taxied back to parking my shirt was drenched with the stuff. Turns out it was a broken gel seal in my headphones!

 

[jrh]

A few weeks ago I was at the tail end of a bad cold. I felt 90% better, but still had a few sniffles.

A friend of mine and I took an Arrow up to 11,000 on an IFR cross country. On arrival, descending through 6,000 my right ear started to feel plugged. I yawned and it didn't pop like usual. Passing through 5,000, it started to ache a little. Passing through 3,000, it was killing me. I was just thankful my friend was flying that leg. The pain went away within 30 minutes of landing, but I couldn't hear out of it until the next morning, no matter how much yawning and gum chewing I tried.

Made me realize that head colds and night IFR don't mix. I wouldn't want to experience that if I was solo, in the clouds, trying to shoot an unfamiliar approach.

 

[Kristie]

[ QUOTE ]
I've recently come down with an ear infection ( as unusual as it is for a 19 year old to get an ear infection) and I'm thanking my lucky stars that I don't have to fly home this weekend. Have any of you guys ever been unfortuneate enough to fly with an ear infection or head cold?

[/ QUOTE ]I have...sick for a few days, had a purchased ticket and couldn't afford to pay for the "change" fee..flew back and it WAS 4 hrs of hell! luckily, no major damage. it was the first time i ever flew with a bad head/ear cold and i tell ya, never again! hearing is just too precious of a resource.

 

[roundout]

i had chronic ear problems and a 7-week infection before i had my tonsils taken out. i had the infection treated and i ran through my course of drugs and felt better, so i figured i'd be good to teach a lesson. wrong. once we hit the ground i knew i was in big trouble. i've never felt anything so painful in my life! the infection flared up with a vengeance and i was on 3 drugs and a steroid nasal spray just so i could get healthy enough to have the surgery a month later.

no problems since, luckily!

 

[launchpad]

I have pretty chronic ear problems...i get 2 or 3 ear infections a year.....whatever you do, don't fly with an ear infection.....you can end up with a ruptured ear drum or at very least a few hours of some of the most annoying pain you've ever known.....

 

[Bandit_Driver]

I too have sufferd from a couple of ear infections. One bad enough that when I sat down and started run the checklist and check the overhead panel the plane started spinning. I call sked and told them I was sick. I was off for 7 days with a major infection and I would have sworn the Earth's rotation had incresed 10 fold as I was holding onto the floor for dear life.

My AME said don't be afraid to take a good OTC decongestant any time you feel the least bit stuffy as it will help clear the ears.

Being up front I have been know to play with the Cabin Rate to help my ears out when I have been feeling less than 100%. What I found out works best, is don't wait until your ear really feels plugged. If you are flying with a head cold equalize your ears often (use the Valsalva technique). I found this works well for me and keeps me from being deaf by the time we land.