Does Skydiving Hurt Your Ears? Everything You Need to Know

Many people worry about ear pain while skydiving, asking questions like, “Does skydiving hurt your ears?” and “Can skydiving damage your ears?” For most people, the answer is no—skydiving doesn’t typically cause ear pain, but understanding how pressure changes affect your ears is important for a smooth experience. Let’s dive into the science behind ear popping during skydiving and explore how you can prevent discomfort before, during, and after your jump.

The Science Behind Ear-Popping During Skydiving

During skydiving, rapid changes in altitude cause shifts in air pressure, affecting the ears. Similar to flying or driving in the mountains, this can result in your ears popping or feeling clogged. The Eustachian tubes in your middle ear regulate pressure. If they don’t function properly due to congestion or illness, you might experience ear pain during skydiving or ear problems after skydiving. Understanding how to clear your ears is key to avoiding discomfort during and after your jump.

Can Skydiving Hurt Your Ears?

For most, skydiving does not cause ear pain, but those with colds, allergies, or congestion may have difficulty equalizing pressure, resulting in ear pain during skydiving or even a ruptured eardrum in severe cases. It’s best to reschedule your jump if you’re sick. In some cases, individuals may feel their ears are plugged after skydiving or may struggle to pop them. Luckily, there are ways to address this discomfort.

Do Your Ears Pop During Freefall?

Yes, your ears will likely pop during freefall as the air pressure changes. The sensation is similar to what you experience when flying in an airplane. Many skydivers are too focused on the jump to notice, but it’s important to clear your ears either during the freefall or after the parachute opens when you can focus on equalizing the pressure.

Can Skydiving Damage Your Ears?

Although it’s uncommon, skydiving can cause ear damage if the pressure is not equalized properly. This is more likely to happen if you’re congested or have difficulty popping your ears. If you experience ear pain after skydiving or persistent symptoms like pressure or clogged ears, see a healthcare provider to ensure you haven’t sustained any long-term damage.

Skydiving with a Cold or Allergies: Is It Safe?

Whether you’re a seasoned skydiver, or it is your first time skydiving, skydiving with a cold or allergies is not recommended. When you’re congested, your Eustachian tubes may be blocked, making it difficult to equalize the pressure during the jump. This can lead to severe ear pain and, in some cases, permanent damage. Rescheduling your jump until you’re feeling better is the best way to avoid these risks.

Skydiving Ear Protection: Should You Wear Earplugs?

For those with sensitive ears, wearing earplugs for skydiving can help reduce the discomfort caused by rapid altitude changes. Specialized earplugs designed for altitude can help regulate the pressure in your ears and minimize the effects of the changes. While they don’t eliminate the need to pop your ears, they can make the experience more comfortable for frequent skydivers or those prone to ear pain.

3 Key Tips to Clear Your Ears While Skydiving

Tip #1: Clear Your Ears on the Ride Up to Altitude As the plane climbs to jump altitude, the air pressure outside the aircraft decreases. This is similar to the sensation you feel when driving through the mountains. You can clear your ears by swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum during the ascent, helping you acclimate before freefall.

Tip #2: Clear Your Ears in Freefall Once you’re in freefall, your body is adjusting rapidly to changing altitude, similar to how free divers experience pressure changes underwater. It may be difficult to focus on clearing your ears during this exhilarating moment, but it’s helpful to attempt swallowing or yawning during freefall. If you forget, don’t worry—you’ll have time to do it after the parachute opens.

Tip #3: Clear Your Ears Once the Parachute Opens When the parachute opens, the sudden decrease in descent speed may cause ear pressure to build again. This is a great time to focus on clearing your ears if you haven’t already done so during the freefall. Use techniques like swallowing, the Valsalva maneuver, or chewing gum to equalize the pressure before you reach the ground.

How to Unblock Your Ears After Skydiving

If your ears won’t pop after skydiving, there are several proven techniques to relieve pressure:

1. Yawning or Swallowing: These simple actions can help open the Eustachian tubes, allowing trapped air to escape and equalizing the pressure.
2. Valsalva Maneuver: Gently pinch your nose, close your mouth, and try to exhale. This forces air into your middle ear, helping your ears to pop.
3. Chewing Gum or Sucking on Candy: The motion stimulates swallowing and jaw movement, which can help relieve pressure and pop your ears.

These methods are effective for most people who experience ears plugged after skydiving, but if your symptoms persist, consult a doctor.

Common Post-Skydiving Ear Symptoms

It’s not unusual to feel ear pain after skydiving or to notice that your ears are still plugged. For most people, these symptoms will go away within a few hours or days. However, if you experience ongoing discomfort, pressure, or hearing loss, it could indicate that your ear pressure didn’t fully equalize during the jump, leading to barotrauma. In these cases, seek medical advice to prevent long-term complications.

Enjoy a Pain-Free Skydive!

Skydiving is an exciting experience, and knowing how to manage pressure changes in your ears can help you enjoy the adventure without any discomfort. By following these tips to clear your ears and making sure you’re healthy on jump day, you can ensure a smooth, pain-free skydive. If you’re ready to experience the thrill of skydiving, contact us at Boston Skydiving Center and book your jump today!

If you have sensitive ears or are prone to allergies, you may want to consult a doctor before making a skydive. Knowing these things ahead of time will help us all better prepare and keep each other safe.