Yes, earplugs help when flying, but the type you choose matters because they solve two different problems. Some earplugs reduce cabin noise that can reach up to 105 dB during takeoff. Others use special filters to equalize pressure changes and reduce the ear pain that roughly 20% of adult passengers experience on every flight. Understanding which problem you’re trying to solve will point you to the right pair.
Why Your Ears Struggle on Planes
A small tube called the eustachian tube connects your middle ear to the back of your throat. Its job is to equalize the air pressure on both sides of your eardrum. During takeoff and landing, cabin pressure changes faster than this tube can adjust, creating a pressure difference that pushes or pulls on the eardrum. That’s the plugged, painful feeling most people recognize as “airplane ear.”
A study of commercial passengers found that 20% of adults and 40% of children had negative pressure in the middle ear after a flight. More concerning, about 10% of adults and 22% of children showed visible signs of eardrum damage on examination afterward. Actual eardrum perforation is extremely rare, but the discomfort is common enough that it’s worth addressing, especially if you fly often. People with colds, sinus infections, allergies, or middle ear infections are at higher risk because congestion can partially block the eustachian tube.
Cabin Noise Is Louder Than You Think
Most passengers don’t realize how loud the inside of an airplane actually gets. Measurements from commercial wide-body aircraft show cabin noise can peak at 105 dB during takeoff and landing. At cruising altitude, levels typically sit around 75 to 85 dB depending on the aircraft type. For context, prolonged exposure above 85 dB can damage hearing over time, and a typical flight keeps you in that zone for hours.
Narrow-body planes like the Airbus A321 tend to run 80 to 85 dB during takeoff and 75 to 80 dB in flight. If you’re on a long-haul trip, that’s several hours of continuous noise at levels that fatigue your hearing, disrupt sleep, and make it hard to enjoy music or movies at a safe volume. Even if you don’t feel pain, your ears are working harder than they would in a normal environment.
Filtered Earplugs for Pressure Relief
Filtered earplugs (sometimes sold as “flight earplugs” or under brand names like EarPlanes or Alpine FlyFit) are specifically designed for the pressure problem. They contain a small ceramic or mechanical filter that slows the rate of pressure change reaching your eardrum, giving your eustachian tube more time to equalize naturally. The Mayo Clinic recommends these for takeoff and landing, noting they’re available at drugstores, airport gift shops, and hearing clinics.
These earplugs won’t block as much noise as foam plugs. The Alpine FlyFit, for example, has a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 17 dB, while the EarPlanes sit at 24 dB. That’s a meaningful reduction in cabin roar, but the primary benefit is pressure regulation. One important caveat: you still need to yawn and swallow while wearing them. The filters assist your eustachian tube but don’t replace it. If you’re severely congested, filtered earplugs alone may not be enough.
Foam and Silicone Earplugs for Noise
If your main concern is the relentless drone of engines and air systems, standard foam earplugs offer the most protection. Top-rated foam plugs carry an NRR of 32 to 33 dB, which can bring a 105 dB takeoff down to roughly 72 dB at your eardrum. That’s a dramatic difference, roughly comparable to going from a loud lawn mower to normal conversation level.
Foam earplugs are cheap, disposable, and widely available. The tradeoff is that they block so much sound you’ll have trouble hearing announcements or talking to a seatmate. Silicone earplugs offer a middle ground, with moderate noise reduction that still lets you hold a conversation. They’re also reusable and easier to insert and remove repeatedly during a flight.
Neither foam nor silicone earplugs regulate pressure the way filtered earplugs do. They create a seal in your ear canal that may actually slow natural pressure equalization slightly. If you’re prone to airplane ear, foam plugs alone could make the pressure sensation worse during descent unless you remove them periodically and work your jaw.
Choosing the Right Type for Your Flight
Your best choice depends on what bothers you most:
- Ear pain during takeoff and landing: Filtered earplugs designed for flying. Put them in before the plane begins its descent, since that’s when pressure changes are most aggressive. Continue swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum while wearing them.
- Noise fatigue on long flights: Foam earplugs with an NRR of 30 or higher. These are ideal if you want to sleep or just reduce the constant engine hum. Consider removing them during descent to let pressure equalize naturally.
- Both problems at once: Wear filtered earplugs during takeoff and landing, then switch to foam or silicone earplugs at cruising altitude. Some travelers pair filtered earplugs with noise-canceling headphones over the top for maximum comfort.
Tips for Using Earplugs on a Flight
Insert foam earplugs correctly by rolling them into a thin cylinder, pulling the top of your ear up and back to straighten the ear canal, and holding the plug in place for 20 to 30 seconds while it expands. A loose fit dramatically reduces their effectiveness. Silicone and filtered earplugs typically just press into the opening of the ear canal without needing to be rolled.
For flights under four or five hours, wearing earplugs continuously poses no real concern. On very long flights, it’s worth removing them periodically to let your ear canals breathe, especially if you notice any itching or soreness. Keeping earplugs clean between uses matters too. Reusable silicone and filtered plugs should be wiped down after each flight, and foam plugs should be replaced rather than reused since their porous material is difficult to clean.
If you’re flying with a cold or sinus congestion, consider using a nasal decongestant spray about 30 minutes before descent in addition to wearing filtered earplugs. Congestion is the single biggest risk factor for painful airplane ear, and earplugs alone may not compensate for a eustachian tube that’s partially swollen shut. Children are especially vulnerable because their eustachian tubes are narrower, which is one reason 40% of child passengers show middle ear pressure issues after landing.