Knowing how to pop your ears can relieve discomfort during activities like flying or driving through mountains. This discomfort arises when the eustachian tubes—small passages connecting the middle ear to the throat—become blocked or fail to equalize pressure properly. Fortunately, several techniques can help alleviate this sensation. More: How to keep strawberries fresh?
How to pop your ears: Effective methods
- Yawning: Initiating a yawn can open the eustachian tubes, balancing ear pressure. Even a forced yawn might provide relief.
- Swallowing: Swallowing activates muscles that open the eustachian tubes. Sipping water or sucking on hard candy can encourage frequent swallowing.
- Chewing gum: Chewing increases saliva production, leading to more swallowing and helping to open the eustachian tubes.
- Valsalva maneuver: Gently exhale while keeping your mouth closed and nostrils pinched. This maneuver can equalize ear pressure but should be done cautiously to avoid eardrum damage.
- Toynbee maneuver: Pinch your nose and swallow simultaneously. Holding a sip of water in your mouth can make this easier.
- Frenzel maneuver: Pinch your nose and make a clicking sound with your tongue. This action can help open the eustachian tubes.
During flights: Avoid sleeping during descent and landing, as swallowing frequency decreases during sleep, which can lead to clogged ears.
For infants and babies: Since they cannot intentionally pop their ears, feeding them during ascent and descent can encourage swallowing, helping to equalize ear pressure.
If these methods don’t provide relief, consider using specialized devices like air-pressure regulating earplugs or consulting a healthcare professional for further advice. Always perform these techniques gently to prevent potential ear damage. More: How to focus your brain?
How does ear-popping work?
The eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, supplying air to balance pressure on both sides of the eardrum. When pressure inside the ear differs from outside, the eardrum bulges inward or outward, creating a sensation of fullness. Popping your ears opens these tubes, allowing air to flow in and equalize the pressure. Actions like swallowing, chewing, or yawning often trigger this and may produce a clicking or popping sound as air enters the middle ear. More: How to keep flies away?
When to call a doctor?
If your eustachian tubes don’t open easily, they might be blocked by fluid, mucus, or inflammation. In some cases, tubes may struggle to close properly, a condition called patulous eustachian tube dysfunction, which amplifies sounds like your own voice or breathing. Crackling or popping noises can also result from this issue. Additionally, fluid buildup in the middle ear may cause a clogged feeling and prevent the ears from popping. Treating these conditions can relieve symptoms. More: Top tips on how to journal?
If your ears won’t pop and you experience ear pain, fever, hearing loss, or discharge, contact a doctor. Clogged ears can result from infections, allergies, earwax buildup, or sinus issues. Sometimes, rapid pressure changes, head trauma, or severe ear infections can cause the eardrum to burst. A perforated eardrum typically heals on its own within weeks, though some cases may need surgery. Seek medical care if discomfort or symptoms persist to prevent further complications. More: Fertility-enhancing herbs: Is Vitex good for reproductive health?
