It’s the time of the year when many people return home from their summer holidays. During the landing of the plane, your child suddenly starts crying because of ear pain. Have you ever experienced that?
This condition is called "aviation otitis media," and it occurs when the ear is unable to adapt to changes in atmospheric pressure, resulting in a pressure difference between the inner and outer ear. Symptoms are believed to occur more frequently during landings than during takeoffs (when descending).
Adults can clear their ears by sneezing or swallowing their tongue, but children whose ear canal is too thin and underdeveloped cannot do this properly, making them more susceptible to pain. Especially when they have a cold or a stuffy nose, the ear canal can become blocked, causing severe symptoms.
The key to prevention is to avoid drinking anything when landing, and for infants, encourage them to “swallow” by breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Since it’s impossible to take a nap while taking off, it’s also a good idea to do this before landing.
Another way to ensure your safety is to have your nose and ears checked before your flight. Since conditions such as nasal congestion and otitis media are more likely to cause severe symptoms, we recommend that you have them checked by an ENT specialist before departure. Most cases resolve naturally, but if pain or difficulty hearing persists, please consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist as soon as possible.
Dr. Takamatsu Shunyo
(President, Japan Otolaryngology Society, Specialist)
Medical Corporation Shoya Kensei Association JIN TOKYO CLINIC
After graduating from the National University of Yamanashi School of Medicine (now Yamagata University), he joined the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Tokyo.
In 2002, Takamatsu ENT Clinic was opened in Tama City, Tokyo.
Currently, we operate 21 clinics, mainly in Tokyo, including ENT, dermatology, urology, pediatrics, internal medicine, and Surgiclinic.
JIN TOKYO CLINIC / JIN Tokyo Clinic
Lotte Hotel 7th Floor Internal Medicine and Ear, Nose, Throat Department
• A full-time internist with Japanese language proficiency is on staff
• One-stop medical care for internal medicine and ENT
• Pharmacy is located on-site for easy ordering
If you are having trouble deciding whether to see an internal medicine specialist or an ear, nose, and throat specialist,
You can consult with a Japanese staff member through the official LINE.
You can consult us with confidence, whether your condition is mild or serious, in Japanese.
Open from Monday to Saturday, with services available until 7 p.m. (excluding public holidays)
Cashless travel insurance available overseas.
Reservations are made through LINE.
📍 LOTTE Hotel 7F, 54 Lieu Giai, Giang Vo, Hanoi
📞 0975-000-420
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