{"id":2757,"date":"2020-08-10T13:14:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-10T18:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/?p=2757"},"modified":"2024-04-11T13:17:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T18:17:38","slug":"what-happens-when-i-pop-my-ears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/what-happens-when-i-pop-my-ears\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens When I Pop My Ears?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you feel like your ears are plugged, or pressure is building inside the ear, then popping the ear can bring immediate relief. But, should you be concerned if you hear a loud \u201cpopping\u201d sound? This noise is an indication that the pressure has changed in your ear.<\/p>\n\n\n

Anatomy of the Ear<\/h2>\n\n\n

Three sections are located within the ear: the inner ear, middle ear, and outer ear. When you experience your ears popping, this sensation is happening within the\u00a0middle ear, which is the area where the eardrum is located.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This space is airtight most of the time, although air can pass through the Eustachian tube that links the inner ear to the back section of the throat. When you feel an ear-popping sensation, then it means that the Eustachian tube is opening and closing.<\/p>\n\n\n

Changes in Altitude and Ear Pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n

There can be a pressure difference between the outside air and the environment within your middle ear space. Most of the time, the pressure in the middle ear is similar to the pressure outside of the ear. The difference is small enough that you don\u2019t experience any discomfort or sensations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, when you increase in altitude (going up a mountain in the car or riding in an airplane), then the outside air pressure decreases\u2026 but the middle ear pressure remains the same. The changes cause the sealed air in the middle ear to expand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, pressure is placed on the eardrum. You will feel some discomfort and the desire to \u201cpop\u201d your ears. Some people find it harder to hear since the eardrum pressure affects the way sound is transmitted through the ears. This sensation often causes you to feel like your ears are plugged.<\/p>\n\n\n

In the Air and Under Water<\/h2>\n\n\n

Each person is unique, and there isn\u2019t a specific altitude or pressure that will cause your ears to pop. It is common to need to \u201cpop\u201d your ears several times on a quick ascent (such as an airplane takeoff) because of the increasing pressure changes. On the other hand, a slow walk up the hill might not cause any noticeable changes to your ear pressure. This gradual ascent may cause your ears to equalize without you noticing the small adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This same phenomenon can happen underwater, which is why it is important for\u00a0scuba divers<\/a>\u00a0to ascend and descend slowly. Ear equalization needs to happen throughout the dive. Some people feel pain or uncomfortable pressure by going down just a few feet, such as diving to the bottom of a swimming pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t matter whether you are in the air or the water; it can be helpful to learn how to equalize your ears when you are feeling the pressure. Not only do you feel the need to pop your ears during the ascent, but the ears also need to readjust in the decent.<\/p>\n\n\n

Difficulty Popping Your Ears<\/h2>\n\n\n

Sometimes, you might have problems popping your ears because the Eustachian tubes are blocked. For example, if mucus has formed from an ear infection or head cold, then fluid can affect the middle ear. As a result, it can make it hard to equalize your ears when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common symptom with this condition is an earache and pressure<\/a>, which can be uncomfortable. Even minor changes in altitude can put pressure on the eardrum, resulting in pain. Here are some of the most common reasons why the ears won\u2019t pop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Fluid<\/strong>: If fluid is present within the ear, then the thickened mucus can block the tubes and prevent drainage into the back of the throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Surrounding Structures<\/strong>: Sometimes, the tonsils, sinuses, or adenoids swell, causing fluid to be retained in the ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Congestion<\/strong>: Thickened mucus from a head cold, sinus infection or allergies can cause the eustachian tubes to be blocked<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Excessive Ear Wax<\/strong>: The buildup of too much earwax compressed against the eardrum can have an impact on the ability to pop the ears<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Other Health Conditions<\/strong>: Certain health conditions can affect the ear\u2019s ability to equalize, such as a Patulous Eustachian Tube, sinusitis, tonsillitis, or nasal polyps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to be aware and proactive in keeping your Eustachian tubes open so the ears can equalize. If the middle ear stays blocked, then serious side effects can happen, such as vertigo, extreme pain, a burst eardrum, or even hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n

How to Pop Your Ears Safely<\/h2>\n\n\n

In most situations, small exercises can be done to release the pressure in your ears. Try\u00a0popping your ears\u00a0by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Swallowing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Yawning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Chewing gum<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Sucking on hard candy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Using over-the-counter decongestant to reduce fluid in the ear<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Valsalva maneuver: Shut the mouth and pinch the nose, then try to forcefully breath out<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Hold a warm compress against the ear to eliminate congestion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you know that you are prone to ear pain with pressure changes, then it is smart to be prepared with strategies to help your ears. For example, chew on gum during the takeoff and landing of your flight. Giving a baby a pacifier or bottle on the plane can be beneficial to help the child pop their ears and adjust to the ascent and descent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popping your ears is generally safe, but you should be gentle with your ears. If you notice that the symptoms worsen, then consult with a doctor instead of trying to pop your ears at home.<\/p>\n\n\n

Medical Treatment for Blocked Ears<\/h2>\n\n\n

Difficulty popping your ears could be a symptom of an underlying problem. If this issue is chronic and it is causing pain, then you should schedule an appointment with an ENT for diagnosis and treatment. Common\u00a0treatments\u00a0include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Decongestants to thin the mucus and help the ears drain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Surgical removal of the surrounding tissue that is blocking drainage, such as the tonsils or adenoids<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Inserting ear tubes to help the ears drain and equalize<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Earwax removal through irrigation or special eardrops used in the doctor\u2019s office<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When other conditions are affecting the way the ears equalize, then an ENT can provide treatment recommendations that will control the symptoms through medication or surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n

Schedule an Appointment with an ENT<\/h2>\n\n\n

The best thing you can do is talk to an ENT if you are experiencing issues with your ears popping or feeling plugged. Our team is here to assist with diagnosis and treatment, helping you maintain healthy ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We offer ENT services<\/a> in the Collin County and Dallas areas. Contact us at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat to learn more about available services. You can schedule an exam at one of our convenient offices, located in Frisco or Plano, TX:\u00a0(972) 596-4005<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you feel like your ears are plugged, or pressure is building inside the ear, then popping the ear can bring immediate relief. But, should you be concerned if you hear a loud \u201cpopping\u201d sound? This noise is an indication that the pressure has changed in your ear. Anatomy of the Ear Three sections are…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2760,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2757"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2761,"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2757\/revisions\/2761"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}