Why Do Ears Pop on Airplanes?

For people who travel often, flying comes with a familiar sensation. During takeoff or landing, the ears always feel like they’re popping. It’s like a small release of pressure, but most times, those feelings can be pretty uncomfortable. 

This feeling can catch a person off guard, but the popping sensation is very important in letting air pressure out during a flight. Why do the ears pop on airplanes? Let’s find out. 

The Role of Air Pressure in the Ear

Whenever an airplane climbs or descends, the air pressure around the craft changes quickly. The ear consists of a passageway called the Eustachian tube, and this is used to balance the pressure between the outside environment and the middle ear. Normally, the tube opens and closes naturally to equalize pressure. 

As a plane goes up or down, the changes in air pressure happen very fast, and the Eustachian tube can’t keep up. This difference in pressure is what makes a blocked feeling in the ears. Then, once the tube opens up to restore balance, it ‘pops.’

Why the Sensation Is More Noticeable in the Air

Every day, the pressure around us changes, but it doesn’t affect the Eustachian tube. The tube does its work without any feeling. For instance, walking up a hill or riding in an elevator creates some pressure, but we barely notice it. It’s not as intense as when flying a plane, because this creates a steeper pressure. 

Plane cabins are designed to keep the pressure stable, so flying is eventually comfortable. Regardless of that, air pressure is much lower than on the ground level. Whenever a plane ascends, the pressure in the cabin drops, and if it descends, the pressure goes up.

When Ear Popping Becomes Uncomfortable

For some passengers, feeling the ear popping isn’t actually quick and minor. It feels very uncomfortable, especially if the Eustachian tube is in good condition. For example, if a person has seasonal allergies, sinus congestion or a cold, the tube will be swollen or blocked, making it hard to adjust the pressure. 

Children have smaller Eustachian tubes, so they feel more uncomfortable during flights. They find it difficult to adjust to the sudden pressure changes. Fortunately, there are simple ways to reduce the feelings of discomfort caused by ear popping. 

Simple Ways to Relieve Ear Pressure While Flying

There are different ways to relieve ear pressure during air travel, and they involve opening up the Eustachian tube. Actions like swallowing, yawning or sipping water will activate all the muscles around the tube, so air will go through. That’s why many people recommend chewing gum during takeoff and landing. 

If there’s congestion in the ears because of a cold or allergy, it’s best to use a saline spray before boarding the flight. This will keep the nasal passages clear. In some cases, wearing special filtered earplugs during air travel will reduce any pressure change in the ear.

How to Protect Ear Health When Flying Frequently

If one travels once in a while and the ears pop, this is pretty harmless. Traveling by plane too often creates a feeling of irritation in the ears because it’s always adjusting to pressure. By staying hydrated and avoiding flying too often, the ears will eventually adjust and stay healthy. 

In some cases, people experience too much discomfort in their ears when they travel too often, and it can even cause negative changes in their hearing. In this case, a hearing health professional will check whether this pain is due to the middle ear or the Eustachian tube.

Keeping the Skies Comfortable for the Ears

Flying is important when traveling for fun or pleasure, but it changes the body in ways that we don’t encounter in daily life. Anyone planning to travel a lot should focus on preparing for the changing air pressure. 

For instance, keep water handy during the flight and allow the ears to adjust after landing. By protecting hearing while on a plane, air travel will be enjoyed without any discomfort.