Why do our ears pop on airplanes?
For grown-ups: the science
Your ears pop when air moves to balance the pressure on both sides of your eardrums.
The middle ear is an air-filled space separated from the outer ear by the tympanic membrane. During altitude changes, cabin pressure changes faster than middle-ear pressure. Opening the Eustachian tube, often through swallowing or yawning, equalizes pressure and may produce a popping sensation or sound.
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Transcript
The airplane is climbing above the clouds. Why do your ears suddenly pop?
Air pushes gently on both sides of your eardrum, a tiny stretchy part inside your ear. On a plane, the outside air pressure changes.
A small passage behind your nose can open when you yawn or swallow. Then air moves through it and balances the push.
When the push is balanced again, your eardrum can move easily. That little change can make a pop sound.
So ears pop because air pressure is catching up on both sides of your eardrum.