How To Pop Ears Safely

Certain Medications

When other methods are not effective, an individual may need to take certain medications when they know they will be experiencing altitude changes or other situations where the air pressure will be variable. Some medical conditions can make it especially difficult for an individual to pop their ears in such situations, like the common cold, sinusitis, allergies, and other upper respiratory inflammation or infections. These conditions cause the areas around the eustachian tubes to become inflamed and swollen, which makes it difficult for them to open when it is needed.

Treating the upper respiratory problem before boarding a plane or driving through the mountains can help an individual avoid problems with popping their ears properly when the pressure becomes unequal. Many individuals find it helpful to take a decongestant about an hour before they travel to reduce the inflammation and phlegm that can cause the eustachian tubes to resist opening. If the inflammation in the respiratory tract is attributed to allergies, an individual can take an antihistamine to help reduce the swelling and inflammation before their travels.

Medical Devices

An individual who does not have much success with the use of other methods to pop their ears may choose to enlist the help of one of many medical devices designed to help equalize the pressure in the middle ear. Special earplugs have been designed that help keep the air pressure on the outside of the eardrum the same as on the inside by trapping air in the ear canal. The earplugs are placed in the ear several minutes before takeoff or boarding an airplane and then removed several minutes after landing. The specialized earplugs make the process of air pressure changes outside of the eardrums more gradual, so discomfort and pain are not felt from the popping of the ears.

Another useful medical device that can help pop the ears properly is one that mimics the Valsalva maneuver. This device usually consists of a nozzle that enters one nostril and a balloon individuals blow air into when they plug their other nostril. Another electronic device is also available to help pop the ears by a physician's prescription. This device pumps air through an individual's nose into their eustachian tubes.