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.
Thanks, Nancy. I've tried earplanes and yawning almost constantly. Still I sometimes feel as though my eardrums are about to burst.
Standard recommedation is nose spray, aphrin etc, 30-45 minutes before flight.