How does flying affect your ear health? can flying permanently affect your ears?

Normal ears, no prob: With normal ears, flying doesn't really have any permanent effects. If you have severe problems equalizing the pressure in your ears, flying can cause pressure imbalances, which are painful. Rarely, this pressure difference can cause eardrum perforations. If you have this kind of problem, see your local ent. Placement of a myringotomy tube (ear tube) can prevent these problems. Best wishes.

Rarely: Most commercial airplanes are able to maintain acceptable cabin pressures so permanent injury is rare unless flying with an upper respiratory infection or active ear infection. If you have no active ear problems and are able to clear your ears you should have no issue with flying.