Buzz
If you’ve ever driven up a twisting mountain road, ridden a fast elevator in a tall building, or flown in an airplane, you’ve likely felt pressure in your ears that you just want to ease. Sometimes, this sensation fades away on its own, but in some cases, you'll need to take action to relieve it. Here's an explanation of why this occurs and how you can address it.
What leads to the sensation of ear pressure?
Ear pressure can occur for a variety of reasons, explains Dr. Matthew Goldman, a physician at the Cleveland Clinic. Common causes include allergies, sinus infections, swimmer's ear, and ear infections. However, in this context, we are specifically addressing the pressure caused by rapid altitude changes, such as during the ascent or descent of a plane, or while diving underwater.
The sensation of blocked ears, as though they need to pop, occurs because when the surrounding air pressure changes, the air pressure inside your inner ears attempts to adjust—but it can’t always keep up.
This adjustment process takes place in the Eustachian tubes, which run from behind your eardrum to the back of your nose and throat. These tubes play a role in regulating air pressure inside the ear. 'This tube helps to maintain balanced air pressure [in the ear],' explains Goldman.
How to Safely Relieve Ear Pressure
Though it may seem tempting to insert a finger, cotton swab, or any object into your ear to relieve the pressure, it's best to avoid this. Instead, try these doctor-approved methods:
Swallowing: Often, swallowing intentionally will help your ears pop, as it opens your Eustachian tubes—which are usually closed—and relieves pressure. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy can promote more swallowing, offering additional relief.
Yawning: Similar to swallowing, yawning also opens the Eustachian tubes and can cause your ears to pop.
The Valsalva maneuver: Close your mouth tightly and pinch your nostrils shut, then exhale forcefully. The key is ensuring that no air escapes through your mouth or nose.
The Toynbee maneuver: Close your mouth, pinch your nostrils shut, and swallow at the same time.
If these techniques don’t work and your ears remain blocked, or if you experience additional symptoms such as pain, discharge, dizziness, hearing loss, or ringing, Goldman advises seeking medical attention.
