Jet With Kids

Ear Pain? Try the Ear Popper! 

There are certain products that I would like to mention even  before I get a chance to review them in case you have a flight coming up and want to try them out yourself.

This weekend, I attended the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference. I worked alongside Louise Stoll, promoting the CARES aviation harness. However, I also had a chance to speak with others at the conference who were representing products relevant to the pediatric population.

I was intrigued when I saw the booth advertising the “Ear Popper”. This device is designed for people who suffer from ear problems (rhinitis, sinusitis, effects of colds, allergies, elevation changes - on airplanes-or scuba diving). The Ear Popper clears the ear and alleviates that feeling of fullness in the ear.

In a 4 year NIH sponsored study, 85% of children who had a hearing loss as a result of persistent Otitis Media with Effusion (fluid in the middle ear) fully regained their hearing without antibiotics or tubes!

The device  gently blows air into the Eustachian tube and clears it of pressure or fluid build up. I had a great conversation with the representative and he demonstrated the use of the ear popper on me. First he showed me how gentle the air blowing out of the unit is. I could barely feel a slight movement of air against my hand.

Then he instructed me to close off one nostril and as I swallowed to press the button and blow air up into the other nostril, making sure to have a good seal. It was amazing what that little bit of air did in my Eustachian tube! I could feel the popping sensation.

He stated that this is great for anyone (infants to elderly) who is flying, to help equalize pressure on descent. For infants, he recommended having them drink a bottle and plug one nostril while you gently blow air into the other nostril. He stated that there is no danger of blowing too much air into the ear.

I will be testing this product in a couple weeks on our flights to Europe and will report back to you on it. However, since it is cold and flu season, this might be a product to purchase sooner if you or your children have any ear problems.

I have felt the excruciating pain caused by rapid descent and an inability to equalize pressure in my ears. Even grown adults have cried due to the pain - and we have all heard the screaming babies! (Although crying does actually help babies to equalize pressure as well!)

Insurance many times will cover this device with a prescription and if it is not covered, they may cover a treatment at your physician’s office.

The Ear Popper is made by the same company that manufactures ear tubes. The National Institute of Health conducted a clinical trial on children and demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the Ear Popper.

The patient information sheet is found here.

Check with your physician as it is only available by prescription.