How to pop your ears: techniques

Most people will feel pain and discomfort in their ears that can only be alleviated by their ears popping at some point. Known as ear barotrauma, this is a perfectly normal sensation to feel in certain environments. The resulting feeling occurs due to a change in pressure between your eustachian tubes and the outside world. Here’s what you need to know about how to pop your ears and whether popping ears is safe.

Barotrauma occurs as a result of a change in pressure. Anyone who has flown in an airplane knows the sensation of your ears becoming blocked when declining in altitude. This same sensation can be experienced when scuba diving or when driving up a mountain.

The eustachian tube connects your middle ear to your throat. Normally, the pressure inside your ear is the same as the pressure outside your ear. When the pressure changes, your eustachian tube becomes blocked due to the creation of a vacuum inside. This is why you feel uncomfortable. In the worst possible cases, you may even experience hearing and balance issues.

Figuring out how to make your ears pop is easy because your Eustachian tubes open already multiple times per day naturally. Here are some different ear popping techniques to try if you’re experiencing a blocked sensation inside your ears.

Perform the yawning technique by opening your mouth wide and taking a slow, deep breath as if beginning a yawn. This motion stretches the muscles around the Eustachian tubes, helping them open and allowing air to flow into the middle ear. 

Perform the swallowing technique by taking a sip of water or simply swallowing your saliva. The movement of the throat muscles during swallowing helps open the eustachian tubes, allowing pressure to balance between the middle ear and the environment. 

Perform the Valsalva maneuver by taking in a deep breath and pinching your nose closed. Close your mouth and attempt to blow air through the nose. Avoid blowing too hard as there’s a small risk of accidentally rupturing your eardrum.

Perform the Toynbee maneuver by pinching your nostrils shut while swallowing. This coordinated action opens the Eustachian tubes and allows pressure in the middle ear to equalize with the surrounding environment.

Perform the chewing gum technique by steadily chewing a piece of gum, which stimulates jaw movement and swallowing. This method is a convenient and gentle way to relieve pressure, especially during altitude changes such as flying or driving in the mountains.

Pinch your nose closed and use your tongue to make a clicking sound. Try to make a “K” sound with the tongue until your eustachian tubes reopen.

Certain devices help to clean the ears. If the ear popping maneuvers above have been ineffective or you cannot perform them, try these over-the-counter devices:

• Otovent – The Otovent and other similar devices attempt to replicate the effect of the Valsalva maneuver. Simply insert the nozzle into your nostril and the other into the end of a balloon. Using the nozzle, blow up the balloon. Ears popping with Otovent is an excellent alternative for children.
• EarPopper – This prescription device works much the same as the Otovent. The difference is when you insert the nozzle, you push a button, and the EarPopper will release little puffs of air to clear the blockage.
• Earplugs – Some earplugs have been marketed as a solution for barotrauma. However, there’s no scientific evidence that they actually work. They’re worth trying because they are risk-free.

There are medications available, such as decongestants, that travelers use to prevent their ears from popping when flying, but these are only semi-effective.

If the problem persists, you may need to seek out your primary care physician, who will then examine the condition of your ear. In most cases, barotrauma goes away on its own. If you already know how to pop ears and need to see a licensed hearing professional, do it with EarPros.

Begin your journey to better hearing and schedule a free consultation with EarPros today.

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