Standard recommedation is nose spray, aphrin etc, 30-45 minutes before flight.
Thanks, Nancy. I've tried earplanes and yawning almost constantly. Still I sometimes feel as though my eardrums are about to burst.
Some people use Ear Planes--a little spiral-like earplug-type thingie you can buy in drugstores, which are supposed to gradually adjust the pressure in your ear.
I tried them, but personally I have more luck with yawning almost constantly on ascent and descent. Yawning works perfectly for me.
Some people really do like the Ear Planes, though.
Nancy T.