Ear Popping While Traveling {Today's Science Study}

This was an interesting study! Here's my findings. I'll share why it happens first, then share some of the things you can do to help relieve the problem. So here goes:

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WHY DO OUR EARS POP?

Your ears pop in air planes because the air high above the surface of Earth is less dense than air near the surface, because air near the surface has all the air above it pushing down.

Some air planes can fly so high they require oxygen masks or a pressurized cabin, so the pilot and passengers don’t pass out for lack of air. Even higher and air planes can’t fly because their wings require air to provide lift.

As you ascend in an airplane and the air pressure decreases, the air trapped in your inner ear will cause your eardrums to push outward. This expansion causes not only the discomfort you feel before your ears "pop," but also a decrease in hearing ability, because the pressure on your ears drums makes the sound harder to transmit.

Your body can equalize the pressure between your inner ear and the atmosphere by allowing some air from your inner ear to escape through the Eustachian tubes, two small channels that connect the inner ears to the throat, one on each side.

When they open, you feel the pressure release and you hear the change because it’s happening in your ear. This equalization of pressure is the "pop."

On the way down from an air plane flight, the air pressure increases, while your inner ear is still at the lower pressure it has adjusted to. Now, the extra pressure pushes the eardrums inward.

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(Sorry, no fancy pictures this time. Don't have time to make them. You'll just have to click on the link.)

HOW DO WE PREVENT IT?

For most people, traveling by air causes uncomfortable, sometimes painful ear popping. This can also happen when climbing to or descending from a high altitude, or when diving underwater. If you travel with kids, ear popping can make the trip all the more frustrating. So here's the scoop on ear popping - what causes it, and how you can prevent it.

1. Understand what causes ear popping.
   Whenever the air pressure around you changes suddenly (when flying, climbing to or descending from a high altitude, or diving underwater) the pressure in the cavity inside your ear (behind the ear drum) is supposed to change with it, as well. But sometimes, this doesn't happen, and difference in pressure between the cavity and the outside of the ear can be uncomfortable. (Doctors call this barotrauma.) Then when you do something that opens up the Eustachian tube that leads into the cavity (like yawning), your ear will "pop" as the pressure difference is equalized.


2. Treat any congestion beforehand. Sometimes the Eustachian tube doesn't open by itself properly because of inflammatory conditions like allergies (the tube gets inflamed and swollen) or a cold. If you're feeling "stuffy" before changing altitudes or diving, use a nasal decongestant or antihistamine in preparation. 

• Gargle with warm salt water. 
• Take a decongestant, such as Sudafed, every 6 hours and continue for 24 hours after you land to shrink membranes in the sinus and ear. Follow the precautions on the label. 
• Use a pediatric-strength nasal spray once as directed. This helps open the Eustachian tube, without giving you more medication than you need.

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