Why Do Ears Pop During a Flight—and How to Fix It?

Most people who travel by plane have experienced the uncomfortable sensation of ear popping. While chewing gum, sucking on candy, or exaggerated yawning are common quick fixes, the root of the issue goes much deeper than these simple remedies.

The good news is that the discomfort felt during takeoff and landing is a normal protective function of the body. According to audiologist Patricia Gaffney, president of the American Academy of Audiology, ear popping is the body’s natural way of equalizing pressure—and in most cases, it resolves quickly and without complications, reports Popular Science.

So what exactly causes that popping or pressure sensation? Gaffney explains in detail what happens inside our ears during flight, according to Focus.

The human ear consists of three parts:

• the outer ear,

• the middle ear, and

• the inner ear.

The outer ear includes the visible earlobe and the ear canal. The eardrum separates the outer ear from the air-filled middle ear, which contains three tiny bones and the Eustachian tube—a narrow passage that connects the middle ear to the upper part of the throat (the nasopharynx). The inner ear houses the cochlea (our hearing organ) and the vestibular system (responsible for balance).

The pressure sensation during a flight originates from the Eustachian tube. According to Gaffney, the Eustachian tube’s sole function is to maintain equal air pressure between the outer and middle ear.

Balancing air pressure between the middle ear and the environment is essential for our ears to function properly. When the air pressure inside the middle ear is lower than that of the surrounding environment, negative pressure can develop. This can pull the eardrum inward, reducing its ability to vibrate and causing muffled hearing. This sensation continues until the pressure is equalized.

In everyday life, the Eustachian tube briefly opens when we:

• swallow,

• yawn,

• or speak.

These actions help compensate for minor changes in air pressure. However, rapid altitude changes—like during flights, diving underwater, or climbing a mountain—create more significant pressure differences, as the air pressure outside changes more quickly than the pressure inside the middle ear. At that point, the Eustachian tube responds by opening to equalize the pressure.

Gaffney notes that several proven techniques can help manage ear pressure and encourage the Eustachian tube to open during flights:

• For infants, feeding or sucking on a pacifier may help.

• For older children and adults, chewing gum, sucking on candy, or intentional yawning can be effective.

Additionally, the Valsalva maneuver can be used. To perform it, take a breath, close your mouth, pinch your nose, and gently blow out.
Experts also point out that some over-the-counter medications may ease flying-related ear pressure.

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