Why,if airplane cabins are pressurized for our comfort,do my ears still hurt on planes?

An airplane at cruise altitude is pressurized to around 7,000 feet above sea level. What you're feeling in your ears is pretty much the pressure going from whatever elevation you are at ground level to that 7,000 feet. 7,000 feet is still perfectly fine for people to breath, and puts less stress and strain on the fuselage than if the plane was pressurized to sea level. Chewing gum during takeoff/climb and during decent/landing always works for me.

Well, I guarantee that you are much more comfortable at the given cabin pressure - which is the same as about 6-8,000 feet, than you would be if you traveled at 35,000 feet with no pressurization. Though, to be honest, all discomfort would go away after a minute or two in that case - truly. That is just how it is. You either tolerate it, find a way to accommodate to it, with chewing gum, drinking or something that helps you, or you stop flying. No too many other choices.

I understand your problem and I suffer as well. When cruising at high altitude the pressurisation system equates to about 8000 feet above sea level. Try pinching your nostrils and blowing gently through your nose. This causes your ears to "pop" and equalises the pressure, also continually chewing also helps, that's why the cabin staff often offer free hard sweets just prior to take-off. I hate chewing gum but on flights I tolerate it to solve the ear pain.

If they weren't pressurized you would freeze to death and die of oxygen deprivation. That's what they mean by "for your comfort"

Well, I guarantee that you are much more comfortable at the given cabin pressure - which is the same as about 6-8,000 feet, than you would be if you traveled at 35,000 feet with no pressurization. Though, to be honest, all discomfort would go away after a minute or two in that case - truly. That is just how it is. You either tolerate it, find a way to accommodate to it, with chewing gum, drinking or something that helps you, or you stop flying. No too many other choices.

I understand your problem and I suffer as well. When cruising at high altitude the pressurisation system equates to about 8000 feet above sea level. Try pinching your nostrils and blowing gently through your nose. This causes your ears to "pop" and equalises the pressure, also continually chewing also helps, that's why the cabin staff often offer free hard sweets just prior to take-off. I hate chewing gum but on flights I tolerate it to solve the ear pain.

If they weren't pressurized you would freeze to death and die of oxygen deprivation. That's what they mean by "for your comfort"