By opening your mouth to yawn, you’re swallowing air. The swallowing and movement of your mouth can help pop your ears, equalizing the pressure inside and outside of your ears.
What to do when ears do not pop
When pressure builds up in the ears, people can usually relieve it by yawning, chewing gum, or wiggling the jaw. If these do not help, a person may need a nasal spray or other medical treatment.
From altitude changes to ear infections, there are many reasons why pressure may build up in the ears. Sometimes, the pressure is easy to relieve, but on occasion, it takes a little longer.
Pressure in the ears develops when air and fluid block one of the major ear tubes, causing what is medically known as ear barotrauma.
The most common places for pressure to develop in the ear are the middle ear and the eustachian tube, which runs from the top of the throat to near the eardrum.
Children and babies are more susceptible to pressure-related blockages in the ears, as they have narrower Eustachian tubes than adults.
In this article, we discuss why people feel pressure in their ears, ways to relieve pressure when the ears do not pop, and tips to prevent it in the future.
Share on Pinterest Many people feel pressure in their ears while on planes or otherwise experiencing altitude changes.
The ears rely on pressure to function. It is because of pressure waves , which increase and decrease slightly, that people are able to hear.
However, the pressure within the ear must match the pressure outside the body. If the pressure either inside or outside the body becomes too high or too low, the ear will try to adapt to regain the balance.
This creates the feeling of the ears needing to pop.
Many factors can cause pressure to build up in the ears. Outside the body, air pressure may change with altitude changes, while depth changes alter hydrostatic pressure in water.
Activities in which altitude and hydrostatic pressure can change include :
- flying on an airplane
- scuba diving
- commercial diving
- hyperbaric oxygen treatment
Internal causes, such as congestion, can induce a buildup of air or fluid in the eustachian tube in the ear. This buildup creates a feeling of pressure in the ears.
The blockage to the eustachian tube may come from:
- earwax
- water
- fluid and mucus from a sinus infection
- seasonal allergies, such as hay fever
When pressure builds up in the ears, it can cause pain and discomfort, but it can also affect the person’s hearing and cause dizziness.
To relieve pressure, people can first try to pop the ears by opening the eustachian tube. They can do this by:
- yawning
- chewing gum
- screaming
- swallowing
- wiggling the jaw
- exhaling gently against a closed airway in the Valsalva maneuver
If possible, sucking on hard candy, such as a lollipop, can be a nice, gentle way of keeping the ear tubes open. For a baby, sucking on a bottle or pacifier can have the same effect.
People can try to prepare before an activity that is likely to increase the pressure in the ears. For instance, it may help to begin wiggling the jaw just before a plane takes off so that the ears have longer to adjust to the outside pressure.
Treatments for pressure in the ears can be either preventive, such as for a person about to take a flight, or curative, for those who have blocked ears that they cannot pop.
A doctor may prescribe preventive treatments if a person has preexisting ear problems.
For people without severe problems, a pharmacy will sell over-the-counter (OTC) nasal sprays and decongestants that can release pressure in the ears. One example is oral pseudoephedrine .
OTC options are suitable for scuba divers to take before a descent or air travelers to take before a flight. However, a person should not use them too frequently as their extended use can result in complications.
For instance, decongestant nasal sprays may stop offering relief and instead increase congestion if a person overuses them.
To relieve pressure after it has built up in the ears, a doctor can dilate the eustachian tube. To do this, they may use a eustachian tube balloon dilation or a pressure equalization tube, which releases fluid and pressure from the eardrum to the ear canal.
If these treatments do not work, a doctor may perform a surgical incision in the eardrum to release fluid and pressure. Surgery may also be necessary if a person ruptures their eardrum.
Scientists are still conducting research, but a device known as an Ear Popper , which delivers a stream of air through the nasal cavity to clear the area, may soon be available.
It is important to be cautious when relieving pressure in the ears, as an excessive pressure change in the ear may cause a burst or ruptured eardrum, also called a perforated tympanic membrane.
If the eardrum ruptures, it can cause other complications, including :
- hearing loss
- ear infection
- vertigo
- chronic pain
- injury to the external ear
The best way to prevent a pressure buildup in the ears depends on the cause. If a person knows that they are about to participate in an activity with an increase or decrease in external pressure, they can prepare by treating the problem before it begins.
For example, a person can reduce the chances of blocked ears while scuba diving by keeping the pressure inside the ears in line with the pressure of the outside environment.
Divers do this by continually equalizing, which involves pinching the nose and gently blowing out. They do this throughout the dive but with particular attention during descent. Scuba divers also follow a golden rule of never holding their breath while underwater, as this can cause pulmonary barotrauma .
Another example is in hyperbaric chambers , where people undergo a form of oxygen therapy. Here, doctors minimize the chances of pressure building up in the ears by controlling the compression rate and consistency of the pressure within the chamber.
As we discussed above, a person can reduce the buildup of pressure during a flight by sucking on candy, wiggling the jaw, or using other similar methods to keep the eustachian tube open.
Regularly inhaling tobacco smoke increases the risk of severely blocked ears. A person may be able to lower the pressure in their ears by refraining from smoking.
The ears rely on a fine balance of pressure to function effectively. If the balance between the pressure within the ear and that outside the body changes, the ears will adapt to match the external pressure. This creates the sensation of ears feeling as though they need to pop.
Before an activity that may put pressure on the ears, such as flying, people can try popping the ears before the pressure becomes too great.
If the ears will not pop, it is important not to force them. While pressure in the ears can be highly uncomfortable, it is generally not dangerous, and a rapid change of pressure in the ear can put the eardrum at risk.
It sometimes takes a few days for the pressure to balance out, but a person will then notice a “pop” as the eustachian tube clears.
Last medically reviewed on August 12, 2020
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
- Pain / Anesthetics
How we reviewed this article:
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Chapter 2: Basics of sound, the ear, and hearing. (2004). Hearing loss: Determining eligibility for social security benefits.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207834/ - Ears and altitude (barotrauma). (2018).
https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/ears-and-altitude-barotrauma/ - Ears and altitude. (n.d.).
http://www.entsc.com/ears-and-altitude/ - How to pop your ears. (n.d.).
https://med.uth.edu/orl/online-ear-disease-photo-book/appendix/how-to-pop-your-ears/ - Mallen, J. R., & Roberts, D. S. (2019). SCUBA medicine for otolaryngologists: Part I. Diving into SCUBA physiology and injury prevention.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lary.27867 - ONeill, O. J., et al. (2020). Ear barotrauma.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499851/ - Tseng, W.-S., et al. (2018). Analysis of factors related to failure in the pressure test: A six-year experience in Taiwan [Abstract].
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29571230/
How to Pop Your Ears
When your ears pop, it may be due to flying, scuba diving, hiking a mountain, or just riding in an elevator. When air pressure decreases around you as you go higher or increases as you go lower, the pressure in your ear isn’t equal. This causes pressure on one side of your eardrum, and it can be painful. But the pain is temporary and you can ease it.
When you feel this pressure, you may want to pop your ears to relieve it. There are several ways to do that.
The Process of Popping Your Ears
The part of your ear that pops is in your Eustachian tube. This tube is made to protect your middle ear and ventilate it. The Eustachian tube works to keep air pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum.
When pressure builds up in your middle ear, your Eustachian tubes will open. The pressure in your ear equalizes when the tubes open. This is what makes your ears pop, to relieve pressure and potential pain.
Pop Your Ears by Holding Your Nose
One of the most recommended ways to pop your ears is by holding your nose and blowing out. First, take a breath. Then close your mouth and nostrils with your fingers. Lightly blow out against the pressure. This should make your ears pop.
The pressure you’re blowing against forces your Eustachian tubes open a little which drains pressure and fluid stuck in your ear. It’s a common misconception that this method is dangerous. As long as you don’t force too much pressure or sneeze like this, you won’t have risks of bursting your eardrum.
Pop Your Ears by Blowing up a Balloon
A unique way to pop your ears is by blowing up a balloon. The pressure you’re using to expand the balloon helps push air up to your Eustachian tube. You can use this method any time you feel pressure buildup or fullness in your ear.
There are balloons that you can buy specifically to help pop your ears. If this is a common problem you have, you can try these out. These balloons work by using your nose to blow it up and block off one nostril at a time. These balloons are mainly for children who have repeated buildup in their ear.
You shouldn’t do this method if you have a cold or a runny nose. This could cause infected mucus to go into your middle ear and give you an ear infection.
Pop Your Ears by Flexing Your Jaw
In some cases, people who flex the muscles behind their jaw will help their ear pop. This flexing can open the Eustachian tube to release the pressure.
This method may be a little gentler on your ears than using your nose to pop them. If you’re flying or using an elevator and feel a pressure change, you can work your jaw to avoid a build-up of pressure.
Pop Your Ears by Yawning
By opening your mouth to yawn, you’re swallowing air. The swallowing and movement of your mouth can help pop your ears, equalizing the pressure inside and outside of your ears.
Pop Your Ears by Swallowing Often
By swallowing water or another drink your ears will pop, equalizing the pressure. A more intense method to pop your ears by swallowing is to pinch your nose closed. This creates a vacuum in your nose that helps your Eustachian tubes open.
Chewing gum during pressure changes is also a common way to pop your ears. Chewing gum or sucking on a mint helps your mouth salivate more and causes frequent swallowing. The action of moving your jaw to chew can also equalize the pressure.
When to See a Doctor
If your ears often feel like they need to be popped, you might have an underlying health condition called Eustachian tube dysfunction. This happens because your tubes can’t equalize pressure well. It can make your ears feel full constantly.
If your doctor says you have the condition, they’ll recommend the right treatment plan for you. They may prescribe a decongestant, antihistamine, or allergy shots. Your ears may be bothered when flying or during allergy season. In severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to fix the problems in your Eustachian tubes.
Show Sources
Canadian Medical Association Journal: “Effect of nasal balloon autoinflation in children with otitis media with effusion in primary care: an open randomized controlled trial.”
Cleveland Clinic: “Airplane Ear.”
Health Technology Assessment: “Interventions for adult Eustachian tube dysfunction: a systematic review.”
KidsHealth: “Flying and Your Child’s Ears.”
Seattle Children’s: “Ear – Congestion.”
Stanford Health Care: “Treatments for Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.”
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston: “Eustachian Tubes: Pop It Like It’s Hawt.”
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