How To Pop Ears After Flying Exclusive -

That muffled, underwater feeling in your ears after a flight—technically known as or "airplane ear"—occurs when the air pressure in your middle ear doesn't match the pressure in the environment. While usually temporary, it can be incredibly uncomfortable.

During takeoff, cabin pressure drops rapidly. Your ears naturally push air out (usually without you noticing). As the plane descends, pressure rises quickly. The outside air pushes your eardrum inward. To equalize, air needs to travel up the Eustachian tube into the middle ear. But if that tube is swollen from a cold, allergies, or even just sleep, it collapses shut—trapping a vacuum inside your ear. how to pop ears after flying

Pinch your nostrils shut, close your mouth, and gently try to blow air out through your nose. This forces air into the Eustachian tubes. Warning: Do not blow too hard, as this can damage your eardrum. That muffled, underwater feeling in your ears after

If you experience: