People can usually pop the ears by yawning, chewing gum, or wiggling the jaw. If this does not help the ears pop, a person may need to speak with a doctor.

It can be frustrating when the ears will not pop. Sometimes the pressure is easy to relieve, but on occasion, it takes a little longer.

If the ears will not pop, do not try to force them, as this could cause damage. Instead, speak with a medical professional to see if there is an underlying cause.

In this article, we discuss why ears pop, the causes of pressure in the ear, ways to pop the ears, and tips to prevent it in the future.

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The ears rely on pressure to function. 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, known medically as ear barotrauma.

Pressure develops in the ear are the middle ear and eustachian tube, which connects the top of the throat to the ear.

Children and babies are more susceptible to pressure-related blockages in the ears, as they have narrower eustachian tubes than adults.

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 also induce a buildup of air or fluid in the eustachian tube in the ear. This buildup creates a feeling of pressure in the ears, which may feel like they need to pop.

The blockage to the eustachian tube may come from:

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
  • swallowing
  • wiggling the jaw
  • performing the Valsalva maneuver, which involves closing the mouth, pinching the nose, and gently blowing

If possible, sucking on hard candy, such as a lollipop, can be a gentle way of keeping the eustachian 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.

Preventative treatment for pressure in the ears

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 before a descent, or for air travelers to take before a flight. However, a person should not use them too frequently, as prolonged use can result in complications.

For instance, decongestant nasal sprays may stop offering relief and instead increase congestion if a person overuses them.

Curing pressure in the ears

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.

Surgery may also be necessary if a person ruptures their eardrum.

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.

If the eardrum ruptures, it can cause other complications, including:

The best way to prevent a pressure buildup in the ears depends on the cause.

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 particularly 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 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.

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.

Chewing, yawning, and sucking hard candy can all help the ears to pop. However, if the ears feel as though they need to pop but will not, a person should wait to see if they improve on their own. If they do not, they should speak with a doctor.

It is important not to force the ears to pop. While pressure in the ears can be highly uncomfortable, it is generally not dangerous, but a rapid change of pressure in the ear can put the eardrum at risk.

To prevent pressure from affecting the ears, people can take preventative measures depending on the situation they are in. For example, people on flights can bring candy to suck, and people who dive can practice techniques to equalize pressure.