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Why do ears pop?

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Justyn Kuhic

Lvl 10
5mo ago
Updated: 3/12/2025

Ears pop due to changes in air pressure. When the pressure inside the ear is different from the pressure outside, the eardrum flexes to equalize the pressure, causing the popping sensation.

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AnswerBot

5mo ago

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Continue Learning about Physics

How high do you need to go for your ears to pop?

don't technically have to change height it's due to pressure variation, which can occur to things such as a cold or head phones


Why do our ears pop and what causes this sensation?

Our ears pop when there is a change in air pressure, such as when we go up or down in an elevator or airplane. This happens because the air pressure inside our ears needs to equalize with the air pressure outside. The popping sensation is caused by the Eustachian tube opening and allowing air to flow in or out of the middle ear, balancing the pressure.


Why might your inner ears 'pop' when you are driving through the mountains?

Your inner ears 'pop' while driving through the mountains due to changes in altitude. As you ascend or descend, the air pressure around you changes, causing your Eustachian tube to equalize the pressure in your middle ear, resulting in the popping sensation you might feel.


Why can you see a balloon pop before you hear it pop?

You see the balloon pop before you hear it because light travels much faster than sound (approximately 1,125 feet per second for sound compared to 186,282 miles per second for light). This difference in speed results in the visual signal reaching your eyes faster than the auditory signal reaches your ears.


Why does your ear pop when you ride an airplane?

The 'pop' you hear is the pressure equalizing between the cavity or the inner ear and the outside air pressure. The reason this happens so suddenly is because the air in your inner ear comes through a tube (called the Eustachian Tube) that is linked to your mouth.