A number of precautions should be taken by a person with acute otitis media before traveling by air.
A general rule of thumb is to delay commercial air travel for at least 2 weeks after recovering from the infection. This assumes travel will be in a pressurized cabin.
Additional recommendations:
(1) The patient should be able to perform an adequate Valsalva maneuver.
(2) Decongestants may be considered, in order to help maintain Eustachian tube patency.
(3) A repeat ear exam or tympanometry may be considered in a patient with persistent symptoms or who cannot wait 2 weeks.
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