What is happening when your ears “pop”?

Question

What is happening when your ears “pop” during altitude changes?

In: 1

Answer 1

So, your inner ear is connected to your sinuses and your nose. But, that connection is very winding and narrow and can get blocked up by mucus. So air can get trapped in your inner ear, and when the outside air pressure changes it can well be pressurized, putting pressure on your ear.

So then when that pathway opens back up finally, like when you yawn which opens your sinuses, that trapped air bubble “pops” as the pressure gets released.