Why Do Ears Pop When Flying on Airplanes?

If you have ever flown in an airplane, you are likely familiar with the popping sensation that occurs during take-off and landing. This is caused by pressure in the atmosphere.

Background

• At higher altitude, the air is thinner and exerts less pressure on objects. The higher you travel, the more the pressure decreases.

Identification

• As you ascend in an airplane, the air inside of your ears is at a higher pressure than the air outside, which causes your eardrums to push outward and causes a pop. During descent, the pressure in your ears is at a lower pressure than the atmospheric air, pushing your eardrums inward and producing another pop.

Effects

• Along with the pop, you may notice a decrease or increase in hearing ability. In infants and small children, the popping sensation is sometimes painful or alarming and causes them to cry.

Solution

• Some people finding that holding their nose and closing their mouth during descent helps hasten the pop. During take-off, opening your mouth widely may also cause a faster equilibrium between the air in your ears and your surroundings.

Considerations

• The popping phenomenon can occur in other situations where you change altitude, such as driving up or down a mountain, riding in an elevator in a very tall building or mountain climbing.