Experience with muffle ear and pain during flight ascending? It doesn’t pop for me 7 hours after flight. Anyone else?

Title: Experience with Ear Pressure and Pain During Flight Ascent: Persistent Muffled Feeling After 7 Hours

If you’ve ever flown frequently, you might be familiar with the sensation of ear pressure during ascent. For many travelers, yawning, swallowing, or gently blowing with the nose can relieve the pressure as ears “pop.” But for some, the relief doesn’t come, and a muffled or painful ear lingers long after landing.

Recently, I encountered a troubling experience on a flight that began with sharp pain in my right ear during ascent. Even after landing, the right ear remained muffled, as if it were blocked by an unseen barrier. Attempts to equalize the pressure—through yawning, swallowing, or gentle blowing—were ineffective.

I had a mild flu a few days before the trip, and I wonder if that may be linked to the issue. While I’ve flown many times with no problems, this incident was markedly different and distressing.

I’m curious if others have had similar experiences where ear pressure or pain persists long after a flight, and what steps, if any, helped you. Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated.