What Car? Q&A - Will mountain driving hurt kids' ears?

Q: We are planning a driving tour to the Alps this summer with our children. Is there any danger of ear damage for the youngsters if we choose to negotiate some of the higher mountain passes?
Nigel and Lisa Moore

A: Driving on mountain roads can be great fun, but it can be painful and potentially damaging for babies.

Any altitude problems tend to occur when you’re descending rather than climbing a mountain road. The air pressure rises as you drop down, and your middle ear needs extra air inside it to equalise the pressure. The rising pressure from outside stretches the eardrum inward and can cause some pain and partial deafness until air rushes into the middle ear space and the ears ‘pop’.

Swallowing, yawning or crying all cause a tiny muscle to open the Eustachian tube, which allows the air back into the middle ear from the throat. Although this whole pressure mechanism is less efficient in children than adults, it’s only in infants of six months or less that there is generally any danger.

When descending a mountain road, it can help to make regular stops to allow your ears to adjust to the different altitudes. However, you should speak to your doctor if you have any specific concerns.