Do Kids Really Need Earplugs on Airplanes?

Key takeaways

Yes, children do benefit from earplugs during air travel, and paediatric audiologists and family medicine physicians consistently recommend hearing protection for children aged 3 and up when flying. A commercial aircraft cabin generates sustained noise levels between 85 and 105 decibels during take-off and cruise, which exceeds safe exposure levels for children’s ears. Their ear canals are narrower and their Eustachian tubes have a smaller diameter than adults’, making pressure changes harder to tolerate. Beyond noise, those same Eustachian tubes are responsible for equalising the pressure between the middle ear and the cabin air. When a child’s tubes are even slightly swollen from a cold or seasonal allergies, rapid cabin pressure changes during ascent and descent can turn an ordinary flight into a painful one. Earplugs made from medical-grade silicone and fitted properly for a child’s ear canal address both problems at once.

Why Do Children’s Ears Hurt on Planes?

The pain most children experience during a flight is caused by a pressure differential building up across the eardrum. As the aircraft climbs, the air pressure inside the cabin drops faster than the air pressure inside the middle ear. The Eustachian tube, which runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat, normally equalises that difference by opening briefly during swallowing or yawning. Research from paediatric audiology organisations confirms that children’s Eustachian tubes are structurally less equipped to handle pressure changes than adults’. In adults, this process often happens unconsciously. In children aged 1 to 11, the tube is shorter, more horizontal, and more prone to remaining closed, especially when congestion from a cold, allergy, or sinus infection is present. The result is a feeling of clogging, popping, and in more serious cases, acute ear pain that can reduce a child to tears at 30,000 feet.

The same pressure problem repeats during descent, and many parents report that landing is actually worse than take-off. The cabin pressure rises quickly as the aircraft approaches the runway, and the middle ear again struggles to keep pace. Preparation before boarding is a better strategy than reaching for earplugs mid-descent.

What Type of Earplugs Actually Work for Kids on Planes?

Pressure-regulating earplugs designed specifically for children are more effective at managing flight-related ear pain than standard foam earplugs. Standard foam plugs block sound by sealing the ear canal tightly, and while they reduce cabin noise, they do nothing to slow the rate at which pressure changes reach the eardrum. Pressure-regulating earplugs work differently. They contain a small ceramic or filtered membrane that controls the speed at which air pressure passes through, giving the Eustachian tube time to adjust naturally without the sudden spike that causes pain. Pressure-regulating earplugs typically provide around 20 dB noise reduction, which differs from general noise-blocking earplugs like Bollsen Kidz+ (24 dB SNR). The trade-off is that pressure-regulators prioritise pressure equalisation over maximum noise reduction.

For children aged 3 to 12, medical-grade silicone earplugs that mould to the shape of the ear canal tend to be both safer and more comfortable than foam alternatives. Silicone does not require deep insertion, which reduces the risk associated with small children who may fidget or attempt to remove them mid-flight. A well-fitted silicone earplug also stays in place during sleep, which matters on longer routes when the goal is to keep a tired child comfortable for several hours at a time.

While designed primarily for comfort and daily use, Bollsen Silicone Kidz+ earplugs also work as a backup option for children aged 3 to 12 on flights, especially if pressure-regulating models are not available. Made from extra-soft, hypoallergenic medical-grade silicone free of BPA, PVC, latex, plasticisers, and cadmium, the Kidz+ is designed specifically for children aged 3 to 12. Its double-lamella design moulds to the ear canal on first insertion, and the integrated pull-tab makes removal easy even for small hands. With a certified SNR rating of 24 dB, it reduces cabin noise meaningfully while still allowing children to hear voices and safety announcements. Reusable for up to 100 uses and supplied in an aluminium carry case, it is a practical choice for families who fly more than once a year. For a complete comparison of earplugs and earmuffs across all age groups and situations, see our guide to the best earplugs for kids. Bollsen backs it with a 40-day money-back guarantee.

For children aged 1 to 11 who need a pressure-filtering option rather than a general noise-reducing earplug, pressure-regulating earplugs designed specifically for children are effective at managing flight-related ear pain. A ceramic or filtered membrane slows the rate of pressure change reaching the eardrum without completely blocking airflow, while circumferential rings create a gentle seal. Their noise reduction rating of around 20 dB keeps cabin noise at a tolerable level without isolating a child from the people around them. These earplugs are drug-free, allergy-free, and available without a prescription.

A side-by-side summary of what each type of earplug does can help parents decide which fits their situation:

When Should You Put Earplugs in a Child’s Ears Before a Flight?

Earplugs should go in before take-off, not during the climb. The most common mistake parents make is waiting until a child shows signs of discomfort, by which point the pressure differential has already built up. Insert them while the aircraft is still at the gate, or at the very latest during taxi. For pressure-regulating models, removing them briefly at cruising altitude is fine, but they should be re-inserted at least 45 to 60 minutes before landing to protect against the pressure changes during descent.

If a child has a cold, active ear infection, or significant nasal congestion on the day of travel, timing becomes even more important. Congestion reduces the Eustachian tube’s ability to self-equalise, so the filtering effect of a pressure-regulating earplug carries more of the load. In these cases, some paediatric ENT specialists also recommend using a saline nasal spray before boarding to help clear the nasal passages, though this is always worth discussing with your family doctor before a trip.

Getting a child to accept earplugs at all is a separate challenge. Practising the insertion at home a day or two before the flight makes the experience familiar rather than alarming. Letting the child hold the earplugs, choose the carry case colour, or see a parent wearing their own pair all help reduce resistance. Children who understand what the earplugs are for, even in simple terms like “they make your ears feel better when the plane goes up and down,” are significantly more likely to leave them in.

Are Earplugs Safe for Toddlers and Young Children on Planes?

Earplugs are safe for children aged 3 to 6 with parent supervision, and for ages 6 to 12 with independent use, when the correct type and size is used. For detailed safety guidance across all age groups, see our comprehensive article on whether earplugs are safe for kids. Children under 3 should not use in-ear earplugs at all because the ear canal is too small and the choking hazard from a dislodged plug is real. For children under 3 on planes, over-ear hearing protectors are the appropriate choice. Bollsen Rooth Baby Earmuffs (28 dB SNR) are designed specifically for this age group and provide effective protection without insertion risk. They are larger, impossible to swallow, and require no insertion technique.

For children aged 3 to 6, the earplug should be made from soft, mouldable silicone rather than rigid pre-moulded material. The ear canal at this age is still small and irregular, and a plug that requires precise insertion depth creates unnecessary risk. Medical-grade silicone that fills the outer ear canal without going deep provides protection without pressure. A parent should always insert and remove the earplugs for children in this age group rather than expecting the child to manage it independently.

From ages 6 to 12, children can begin learning to insert child-sized pre-moulded earplugs themselves with parental guidance. At this stage the ear canal is closer to adult proportions, and the child has the motor control and communication ability to report if something feels uncomfortable. The rule of thumb used by audiologists is that if a child can follow a three-step instruction and pinch a small object between thumb and forefinger reliably, they are old enough to participate in the insertion process under supervision.

How Do You Prepare a Child Who Is Anxious About Wearing Earplugs?

A child who is anxious about wearing earplugs responds better to preparation at home than to instructions given at the boarding gate. The first step is removing the strangeness of the object itself. Let the child touch the earplugs several days before the flight. Show them how the silicone feels between their fingers and explain why it is soft. If the child is old enough, talk about what happens to ears on planes in plain terms. Many children find it reassuring to know that the discomfort has a cause and that the earplugs are the solution rather than an arbitrary rule.

The second step is a practice run. Have the child wear the earplugs for 10 to 15 minutes at home in a quiet room. This teaches them what reduced ambient sound feels like without adding the stress of a new environment. A child who has already experienced the sensation of wearing earplugs is far less likely to pull them out at altitude out of unfamiliarity.

On the flight itself, framing matters. Telling a child they “have to wear” earplugs tends to invite resistance. Telling them the earplugs are what keeps their ears from hurting the way they did last time, or what makes it possible to watch a film without the engine sound being too loud, gives them a reason to cooperate rather than an obligation to resent.

Does Cabin Noise Cause Long-Term Hearing Damage in Children?

Sustained exposure to noise above 85 decibels can cause cumulative hearing damage over time. A typical aircraft cabin during take-off reaches between 88 and 105 decibels depending on the aircraft type and seat location, with seats closer to the engines consistently measuring higher. Sustained exposure above 85 decibels requires hearing protection, making cabin noise a legitimate concern. A single flight of two to three hours falls within the exposure durations that audiologists consider potentially harmful for young ears, particularly if the child is seated near the back of the aircraft where engine noise is loudest.

Most children do not fly often enough for cumulative noise exposure to become a serious clinical concern. However, children who are frequent flyers, children with pre-existing hearing sensitivity, or children of a parent who travels for work regularly are in a different category. For these children, consistent use of hearing protection during flights is a reasonable precaution endorsed by paediatric audiology guidance.

Cabin noise also affects more than hearing. Research into noise fatigue in children shows that sustained background noise at elevated levels increases stress hormone levels, disrupts sleep architecture, and raises the sensory load for children with neurodevelopmental conditions including autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing differences. A 24 dB noise reduction brings a 100-decibel environment down to roughly 76 decibels, which is close to the level of a normal conversation. For a child who is already tired, anxious, or sensory-sensitive, that reduction makes the difference between a manageable flight and a distressing one.

What Else Should Parents Pack for a Child’s Ears When Flying?

Beyond earplugs, a few additional items can support a child’s comfort during a flight. A reusable silicone earplug like the Bollsen Silicone Kidz+ takes up almost no space in a carry-on bag and comes in a compact aluminium case that keeps the plugs clean and easy to find. Having a spare pair is sensible on longer trips in case one earplug is dropped or lost.

For children prone to Eustachian tube congestion, a small bottle of saline nasal spray in the carry-on bag can help before boarding and again just before descent. Staying hydrated during the flight also supports Eustachian tube function because dehydration thickens mucus and can make pressure equalisation harder.

Chewing gum, swallowing water, or yawning all prompt the Eustachian tube to open briefly and can provide short-term relief for older children who feel pressure building despite wearing earplugs. These techniques work best as a supplement to earplugs rather than a replacement. For very young children who cannot chew gum safely, feeding during take-off and descent has the same effect by triggering the swallowing reflex at the moments when pressure changes are fastest.

The most prepared parents are those who have already tested the earplugs on the child before reaching the airport, know which techniques their child responds to, and have a clear plan for what to do if ear pain occurs anyway. A child whose parents are calm and organised about the process is significantly more likely to accept and benefit from hearing protection than one whose earplugs appear as a last-minute surprise at the boarding gate.

For a complete overview of hearing protection across all children’s activities and age groups, see our comprehensive earplugs for kids guide.