Pre-flight precautions

There's nothing like airplane take-offs to get a congested traveler curled up into the fetal position with head-splitting ear pain. Planes' cabin pressure is tops among the many causes of discomfort while traveling. That's because without travel earplugs a traveler's ears have trouble equalizing the air pressure difference between the cabin atmosphere and the inner ear. The result is what physicians refer to as barotrauma: a condition experienced by roughly 25 percent of all air travelers.

We'll discuss custom earplugs in a moment, but first, consider taking a few other pre-flight precautions to reduce the risk of barotrauma. The most important step is to keep your body properly hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids before and during your flight. Alcoholic drinks can dehydrate the body, so stick with non-alcoholic and decaffeinated beverages only.

If allergies or a cold have left you with a case of the sniffles, try to open up those sinuses with a decongestant or antihistamine. Chewing gum or munching on some light food may help as well, and if you're traveling with a baby, encourage the youngster to suck on his or her pacifier for relief - it'll save both of you a few tears.

Although forethought can stave off the sharp discomfort associated with take-offs and landings, sometimes even those smart measures aren't enough to guarantee that you'll banish ear pain on planes. Cirrus Healthcare's EarPlanes earplugs are the most effective precaution you can take.

The human head, it's safe to say, is not naturally suited to jetting around thousands of feet above the ground. Happily, travel earplugs are literally the great equalizer; they allow air to pass in and out in a safe manner, eliminating the discomfort caused by unequal pressure. Be sure to read on to our product pages for more detailed information about the unique construction of our EarPlanes product.