Ear popping, or ear barotrauma, can be caused by a change in altitude and can result in pain, ringing, and temporary hearing loss. Remedies include yawning, swallowing, and chewing gum, but severe symptoms require medical attention. Prevention includes avoiding altitude changes during colds or allergies.
Ear popping, also known as ear barotrauma, can be an unpleasant and sometimes painful sensation in the middle ear. It has several potential causes, but one of the most common is a rapid change in altitude. There are several methods a person can try to relieve this pressure. While usually not serious, sometimes ear popping can be a symptom of a more pressing medical problem. If the problem is not treated properly, this can lead to serious damage to the eardrum and even hearing loss.
The Eustachian tube connects a person’s middle ear to the pharynx, which is an area at the back of the nasal cavity and throat. The tube regulates the pressure between the middle ear and the external environment. A change in altitude, such as a rapid descent in an airplane flight, can disrupt this pressure and can result in barotrauma to the ear. Other examples of changes in altitude that can cause this condition are scuba diving and driving up a mountain.
Someone who experiences ear popping may initially feel a sense of fullness, like a blockage in the ear. This pressure could be accompanied by pain or ringing. Muffled hearing or temporary hearing loss may also occur. A person’s discomfort may be worse if they have a cold, ear infection, sinus problems, or other breathing problems.
Commonly suggested remedies include yawning, swallowing, and chewing gum. Another technique, called the Valsalva maneuver, involves exhaling gently while keeping your mouth and nostrils closed. If these remedies don’t work, prescription and over-the-counter medications are available. These can include oral antihistamines, oral or spray decongestants, and steroids.
Medical professionals recommend different methods of ear popping in young children. They usually warn against giving decongestants to children under the age of two. On the other hand, very young children may feel relief if they are offered a pacifier, a bottle or a drink in a cup. Each method is intended to encourage swallowing to help equalize the air pressure in the ear.
Anyone experiencing ear popping that lasts more than a few hours is generally advised to see a doctor. Severe pain, total hearing loss, and nosebleeds are some indicators of potentially serious ear damage. You should also contact a doctor if you experience any additional symptoms, such as fever or drainage from the ear. In rare but serious cases, surgery to open the Eustachian tube may be needed.
While ear popping may not be entirely preventable, there are some steps medical professionals suggest to reduce the likelihood of it. For example, they usually recommend that people with colds or allergies avoid flying and other changes in altitude. If those plans cannot be changed, they advise sufferers to take antihistamines or decongestants as a preventative measure before activity.
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