一上飛機就睡覺？
We usually sleep during a plane ride, but there are two times during a flight that we should all stay awake for—takeoff and landing.
我們搭飛機時通常會睡覺，但飛行中有兩個時間點是我們應該醒著的—起飛與降落。
As you probably already know, the air pressure in a plane’s cabin changes quite a lot as the plane ascends from its departure point or descends toward its destination.
你很可能已經知道，飛機從出發地上升或往目的地下降時，機艙內的氣壓變化很大。
probably(adv.)很可能;大概cabin(n.)機艙;船艙;小木屋ascend(v.)上升;登上;晉升departure(n.)啟程;出發;離職descend(v.)下降;籠罩
If you are not prepared for this change, your eardrums will not be happy with you.
若你沒有做好適應的準備，你的耳膜就會有狀況。
eardrum(n.)鼓膜;耳膜
You might think you are “prepared” enough for air pressure changes with chewing gum, an extra water bottle, or even ear plugs.
嚼口香糖、喝水或甚至塞耳塞可能讓你覺得你已經「準備好」迎接氣壓變化。
plug(n.)塞子;插頭;(v.)宣傳;堵;塞
But truthfully, in this case, being “prepared” means staying awake during these key moments.
但事實上，在這種情況，「準備好」是指在這些關鍵時刻保持清醒。
A doctor explained: “A quick change in altitude affects the air pressure in the ear.
一位醫師解釋道：「海拔高度的快速變化會影響耳壓。
explain(v.)解釋altitude(n.)海拔;海拔高度affect(vt.)影響;打動;侵襲;感染
This leads to a vacuum in the Eustachian tubes, which makes the ears feel blocked and sound dull.”
這會導致耳咽管形成真空狀態，而那會讓耳朵感到像是堵住、聲音聽起來沉悶。」
vacuum(n.)真空;缺乏;空白;(v.)用吸塵器清掃Eustachian tube耳咽管block(v.)堵塞;阻擋dull(adj.)(聲音)沉悶的;模糊的;乏味的;無趣的;(vt.)緩和;減輕
That is why staying awake becomes so crucial, as it helps to equalize the air pressure on our eardrums.
那就是為什麼保持清醒很重要，因為這樣能幫助平衡耳內氣壓。
crucial(adj.)至關重要的;決定性的equalize(v.)使均等