What Does it Mean if Someone's Ears Popped?

When you encounter differences in pressure changes, you feel sudden rushes of air entering and leaving your ears. The air rushing in your ears plugs them up. The "popping" that you feel happens when the air clears. Pressure changes occur most often during moments when you are rapidly ascending or descending.

Altitude Changes

• You are most likely to experience our ears popping while aboard an airplane, as pressure changes are inevitable during both takeoff and landing. Other environments where your ears may pop include ascending elevators, climbing lighthouse stairs or hiking mountain ranges.

Eustachian Tube Blockages

• Congestion from allergies and colds and ear infections all cause Eustachian tubes to become blocked. This triggers the eardrums to stretch, which temporarily affects your hearing. Once your illnesses let up, your ears will strive to find balance, so they will pop.

Excess Wax Buildup

• If you notice your ears plugging without almost immediate unplugging, there may be hardened earwax shifting around your eardrum. If it is not removed, you are likely to experience bouts of dizziness in addition to not being able to hear.

Quick Fixes

• Self-induced yawning, swallowing and chewing gum are ways to help your ears eliminate temporary discomfort during rapid pressure changes. Give your babies a pacifier and let your older children suck on a piece of hard candy.

Other Treatments

• Your ears should pop to quickly retain their normal balanced state after any pressure changes have taken place. Make an appointment with your doctor if this is not the case for you. Your doctor will be able to tell you what might be causing the delayed popping.