Earplanes or similar pressure-relieving earplugs

I've been in search of a solution also. I just ordered the Alpine Flyfit earplugs from Amazon, after reading a recommendation from some travel tips on my apple newsfeed. I hope they will help and are not just some junk! :) I am flying a week from now, so I will be trying them out then.

I have used them every time I fly since I flew once many many years ago with mild sinus congestion and had a very bad experience with pressure in my ears which eventually led to a double ear infection. It was so painful and I couldn’t hear. Scary. The flight attendant told me I shouldn’t get on my connecting flight home because I might be at risk of a ruptured ear drum, but I had two young children. I couldn’t just relax in some random city while my ears improved. But I had to go to the doctor the next day after I got home and she was quite concerned about my ears. Thankfully it got better with no damage. Weirdest experience ever. The brand name earplanes work well but I prefer the CVS store brand ones. They seem slightly smaller and fit in my ears better. I have recommended earplanes or their equivalent to many people and they have all thanked me and said they worked for them. Put them in before take off and if it’s a long flight you can either keep them in or take them out but then make sure to put them in again about half an hour before landing.

I have some that I’ve used on the last three trips.
They are similar to EarPlanes, but from a company called Mack’s.
They really work for me….I get excruciating pain in my ears and sinuses if I forget to put them in.
You really have to fix them deep into your ear (thinking of all the times we tell kids not to put anything in their ears 😳. ).
I put them in just before take-off and take them out at cruising altitude.
Put them in before descent, remove when engines are shut off.
They got better reviews than EarPlanes…I think they were about $12?

I use earplanes every time I fly, mostly for landings. A few years ago they had a "new" design that was awful but earlier this year I saw that they have gone back to the old design - whew! A couple of caveats - (1) Need to make sure you have them on properly, and (2) Need to have them on BEFORE the airplane begins its descent. So usually before the seat belt sign comes on.

We use the inexpensive foam earplugs (available in Walmart, Target, etc), such as the "Mack's" brand as mentioned by another poster. For over 10 years we've used these on flights and no longer have problems with uncomfortable ear pressure, plus they help muffle engine noise and loud passengers. We put them in when we get on board the plane and leave them in until we are off the plane. The packages usually come with a small plastic carrying case to store a pair of ear plugs, and the case fits easily in a pocket. Since they're inexpensive, they are worth trying to see if they are comfortable for you.

Oh good to know about the CVS version, I'll have to check those out!

I use Earplanes every time I fly and I’ve never have problems with my ears when I do. I put them in while getting settled in my seat and take them out when we reach cruising level. Put them back in again about 30 minutes before landing or as soon as I feel the plane start to descend. I do not replace them as often as suggested on the package, but after 19 flights last year I’m overdue for new ones. I’m going to try the CVS version mentioned since I have small ear canals and the adult sized Earplanes are a tight fit.