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if the air-pressure in the cabin if supposed to be maintained normal, why we feel changes in pressure in ear?
During a flight many time as the aeroplane gains height and the air pressure outside the plane reduces but is supposedto be maintained in the cabin, still evry time I felt these changes on my ear drums? Can any E N T specialists or flight expert answer this?
9 Answers
- AvrilfanLv 51 decade agoFavorite Answer
The pressure is maintained at the equivlent of 8,000 feet height during flights. During climbs and descents the differential pressure, prior to stabilising can be felt in the ear drums. A slight cold or a blocked ear canal due to infection etc., can induce discomfort. Remedy is either to swallow hard or pinch your nose and blow hard so that your ear canals open up. If this is a chronic problem with you, try using some ear drops prior to your flight.
- lizzmoreLv 45 years ago
a million. Air rigidity decreases with top - so if the plane remained at sea-point rigidity interior, and not plenty rigidity exterior - then this could positioned an marvelous rigidity on the plane pores and skin, ultimately foremost to failure and explosion (see the historic previous of the Comet, or the BAC1-11 that had the incorrect screws put in the windscreen and it blew out as a results of inner rigidity). 2. the interior rigidity won't be able to be equalised to the exterior rigidity at severe altitude, as there purely isnt adequate Oxygen to stay to tell the tale (see what occurred to the Helios B737 some years in the past). The cabin rigidity is stored at around 8,000ft - mushy for the group and passengers - no longer too plenty rigidity on the airframe.
- 1 decade ago
On most commercial jetliners cabin pressure is controlled by the computer and is generally raised or lowered at a rate proportional to aircraft's climb or descent rate. This is done to avoid sudden transitions from one cabin altitude to another. Airliners are not maintained at sea-level air pressure due to the undue strain this would put on the airframe from the pressure differential between the outside and inside air pressures. In the Boeing 737-800 the cabin air pressure will be somewhere between 6000 and 8000 at altitudes typically flown by airliners. The Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380 will maintain cabin pressures between 5000 and 6000 feet a their highest operating altitudes.
Source(s): I am instrument-rated private pilot with a high-altitude endorsement and experience flying the Boeing 737. I have studied at the Continental Airlines Pilot Training Center and I am working towards a job at the airlines. - How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- Paul MLv 51 decade ago
Cabin pressure is generally maintained between 6000' and 8000' the discomfort you describe is usually felt during the transition to or from cabin altitude.
This can be exasperated by a rapid descent from criuse altitude to an actual altitude below cabin altitude.
Ear drums are extremely sensitive to non-standard pressures you may have noticed similiar discomfort if you have ever swam or dived under water.
Try yawning, swallowing or chewing, this can help equalise the pressure in your inner ear. Also if possible avoid flying if you have any kind of head cold or other sinus infection.
Source(s): Airline pilot - 1 decade ago
Above 8000 feet it maintains the pressure to 8000 feet. But as the plane descends, the pressure will rise back to sea level.
That is why you feel it most when you descend (not ascending).
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Also the pressure is equalized through your nose. Some people equalize more easily than the others. Try chewing a gum as the chewing action make the passage move and let the air pass by.
Good Luck...
- 1 decade ago
The cabin of most commercial jetliners is pressurized to 8,000 feet. So, you will feel the change in air pressure between sea level and 8,000 feet, but it will not change beyond that. The aircraft maintains the pressure at 8,000 feet even when it's at 35,000 feet.
Source(s): my brain - 1 decade ago
The cabin pressure still changes, just not as much as it would if the aircraft were not pressurized. Cabin altitude varies typically between sea level pressure and 8,000 feet.
- huckleberry58Lv 41 decade ago
the air pressure is not maintained at sea level pressure but is allowed to decrease to an altitude equivalent to approx. 8,000ft.