You’re probably familiar with the feeling of your ears popping when driving up a steep hill or taking off in an airplane, but have you ever wondered why your ears pop?
The Eustachian Tubes
When your ears pop, what you’re hearing is your Eustachian (pronounced “you-STAY-shun”) tubes doing their job. The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the throat. You have one on each side: one connecting to each ear. Their main functions are to drain fluid from the ears and to equalize pressure behind the eardrum, finding equilibrium between your ears and your environment. The pop is a release of pressure.
What Does It Mean if I Can Pop My Ears on Command?
Some people can manually pop their ears without the need for elevation changes. They are able to flex the muscles behind their jaw, which in turn flexes the Eustachian tubes and opens them, releasing pressure and creating the pop. It’s a somewhat rare ability.
What Does It Mean if My Ears Pop Constantly?
Ear popping is usually relatively harmless, but if your ears are popping frequently, without changes in elevation or pressure, it could indicate a Eustachian tube dysfunction. This occurs when the Eustachian tubes become inflamed or filled with fluid, which prevents them from equalizing pressure. This will cause your ears to feel clogged or tight and constant ear popping.
What Causes Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
Anything that causes the Eustachian tubes to become blocked can lead to Eustachian tube dysfunction. Some of the most common causes include:
- Sinus infections
- Ear infections
- Viral illnesses such as the common cold, flu or COVID
- Allergies
- Chronic acid reflux (GERD)
- Cleft palate
How Can I Relieve Ear Pressure?
If your ears feel clogged and need to pop, there are some tricks you can try to encourage your ears to pop:
- Chewing gum. Moving your jaw can manipulate the Eustachian tubes and open them. Sucking on a lozenge or hard candy can also help in this way.
- Swallowing. Swallowing triggers your Eustachian tubes to open.
- Yawning. Yawning changes the pressure on the Eustachian tubes.
- Decongestants. If congestion from an infection or illness is causing a blockage to your Eustachian tubes, a decongestant will reduce the inflammation and reopen your Eustachian tubes.
For more information on managing ear pressure, schedule an appointment with our experts at ENT & Allergy Specialists – Ear Nose and Throat Physicians and Surgeons today. If the issue is a sinus infection or an ear infection, we can diagnose and treat it. If ear draining is necessary, we’re trained in the procedure to make it happen. If the underlying issue causing blocked Eustachian tubes is allergies, our trained allergy team can help with a personalized treatment plan to relieve symptoms. Call today to find out more.