If your child has ear pain during descent, after flying, or with diving and altitude travel, get clear next-step guidance based on their symptoms and when the pressure change happened.
Tell us whether the pain happens during takeoff, landing, after a flight, with diving, or during altitude travel so we can help you understand likely pressure-related ear pain and what to do next.
Barotrauma ear pain happens when pressure changes faster than the ear can adjust. Parents often notice sudden ear pain on an airplane, especially during descent or landing, ear popping with pain after a flight, muffled hearing, fullness, crying in babies or toddlers, or discomfort after diving. Many cases improve as pressure equalizes, but ongoing pain, drainage, fever, or hearing changes may need medical attention.
This is one of the most common times for toddler or child ear pain from airplane pressure because the middle ear may not equalize quickly enough.
Some children have child ear pain after flying, ear popping pain after flight, or a blocked feeling that lasts for hours or longer.
Kid ear pain after diving or ear pain from altitude change in kids can happen for the same reason: pressure changes stressing the ear.
Children may say their ear hurts, feels stuffed, or will not pop. Babies may tug at the ear or cry more than usual.
A child may notice popping with pain, temporary reduced hearing, or unusual sounds after flying or diving.
Severe pain, fluid or blood from the ear, dizziness, vomiting, or hearing that does not improve should be checked promptly.
Drinking, swallowing, or sucking can help some children equalize pressure during flights. For babies, feeding during descent may help.
Mild barotrauma ear pain often eases once the ear adjusts, but symptoms that persist or worsen may need evaluation.
The right response depends on your child’s age, timing of symptoms, severity of pain, and whether there are signs of infection or injury.
Descent is a common trigger because outside pressure rises quickly. If the middle ear does not equalize well through the eustachian tube, a child can feel pain, pressure, or popping.
It can be. Pressure-related ear pain after flying may cause fullness, popping, or muffled hearing. But ear infections and other ear problems can also cause pain, so persistent or worsening symptoms should be assessed.
Common symptoms include ear pain, pressure, fullness, popping, muffled hearing, fussiness in babies, and discomfort during or after flying, diving, or altitude travel. More serious symptoms can include drainage, bleeding, severe dizziness, or ongoing hearing loss.
For some children, swallowing, sipping a drink, or sucking can help the ears adjust. The best next step depends on your child’s age and symptoms, especially if the pain is severe or continues after landing.
Seek medical care sooner if your child has severe pain, ear drainage or blood, fever, significant dizziness, vomiting, or hearing changes that do not improve. These can suggest a more significant ear problem.
Answer a few questions about when the pain started, whether it happened during flying, diving, or altitude travel, and what symptoms your child has now.
Answer a Few QuestionsExplore more assessments in this topic group.
See related assessments across this category.
Find more parenting assessments by category and topic.
Ear Injuries
Ear Injuries
Ear Injuries
Ear Injuries