The sensation of ears popping or feeling pressure during air travel is a common physiological response to changes in the surrounding environment. This temporary and harmless experience is part of how your body adjusts to different atmospheric conditions.
How Your Ears Work
The ear’s ability to manage pressure relies significantly on the Eustachian tube. This narrow, tube-like structure connects the middle ear, an air-filled space behind the eardrum, to the back of the throat and nose. Its primary role is regulating air pressure within the middle ear and facilitating fluid drainage.
Normally, the Eustachian tube remains closed. It opens periodically, such as when swallowing, yawning, or chewing, to allow air to enter or exit the middle ear. This action balances the air pressure inside the middle ear with the outside pressure. When balanced, the eardrum vibrates freely, enabling clear hearing.
Pressure Changes During Flight
Aircraft cabins are pressurized at high altitudes, though they are not maintained at sea-level pressure. Cabin pressure is typically regulated to an equivalent altitude of about 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level, even when the aircraft flies much higher. This difference creates a dynamic environment for the ears.
During ascent, as the plane climbs, external atmospheric pressure decreases, causing air inside the middle ear to expand. During descent, outside atmospheric pressure increases, compressing air within the middle ear. The Eustachian tube must open and close to equalize these internal and external pressure changes. When pressure changes rapidly, the Eustachian tube might struggle to adjust quickly enough, leading to a temporary pressure imbalance across the eardrum and sensations of fullness, popping, or discomfort.
Managing Ear Discomfort
Several strategies can help alleviate or prevent ear discomfort during flights. Simple actions like yawning and swallowing encourage the Eustachian tubes to open, allowing air to move and equalize pressure. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy also promotes frequent swallowing, which aids in this equalization process.
The Valsalva maneuver is another technique: gently pinch your nostrils closed, keep your mouth shut, and exhale softly as if blowing your nose. This action helps to push air into the Eustachian tubes, equalizing the pressure. It is important to perform this maneuver gently to avoid excessive force. Over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays or oral decongestants, taken about 30 minutes to an hour before takeoff and descent, can also help reduce swelling around the Eustachian tube openings, making equalization easier. However, oral decongestants should be used with care, particularly by individuals with conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure, and it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
Conditions like colds, allergies, or sinus infections can inflame the membranes around the Eustachian tubes, making pressure equalization more difficult. If you are experiencing such symptoms, it is often recommended to avoid flying if possible, or to take extra precautions. If severe pain, persistent symptoms, or hearing changes occur, seeking medical advice is recommended.