During the pressurisation portion of your session you may notice some discomfort in your ears due to the change in pressure, similar to on an aeroplane. There are a range of different techniques that can be used to help clear your ears.

Voluntary Tubal Opening

Yawn or wiggle your jaw

Valsalva Manoeuvre

Pinch nostrils and gently blow through your nose

Toynbee Manoeuvre

Pinch nostrils and swallow

Frenzel Manoeuvre

Pinch nostrils while contracting throat muscles and make the sound of the letter ‘K’

Lowry Technique

Pinch nostrils and gently try to blow air out of nose while swallowing

Edmonds Technique

Push jaw forward and employ the Valsalva or Frenzel Manoeuvre

‘Earplane’ earplugs

Compensating ear plugs are manufactured for air travel. Some members who struggle to clear their ears find these can assist in equalising the pressure during a session.

If you are unable to clear your ears during a session in the Oxygen Chamber please inform the operators as soon as possible.