Save Your Ears First, Sleep Later
Some people have a fear of flying (also known as aviophobia), but they fly anyway because of the convenience and the safety of air travel. Research shows that air travel has the lowest death risk, but it still has its downsides like jet lag and what’s called airplane ear.
Photo by Digital Vision / Getty Images
Airplane ear happens when the flight takes off. Your ears try to adjust to the air pressure, which makes your eardrums swell. That is a little uncomfortable, and you might want to be awake for this part with your earplugs in until the airplane is safely in the air.