Why do your ears pop when you’re up high? Dr. Charlotte Grayson answers that question and tells you how to keep it from happening.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
“Hey doc, why do my ears pop every time I’m up high?”
That’s a lofty question, but one I think I can answer.
Inside your ears are tiny air-filled tubes called eustachian tubes. They keep the air pressure inside your ears equal to the air pressure outside by constantly letting air in and out.
When you’re up high, the air pressure outside drops, and the tubes in your ears have to work harder to keep the balance.
Sometimes they can’t let air out fast enough, and the pressure inside your ears becomes higher than the pressure outside. That’s when your ears feel blocked.
If you’re already stuffed up from a cold, the pressure can be downright painful.
When air rushes into or out of the tube to restore balance, it feels like a popping sensation.
To relieve the pressure, try chewing gum, yawning, or just swallowing. Keeping your mouth moving can get the air flowing through the tubes and clear your ears.