why do your ears “pop” when you hold your nose and “blow”? What is “popping” and why does it hurt when sick?

Question

why do your ears “pop” when you hold your nose and “blow”? What is “popping” and why does it hurt when sick?

In: Biology

Answer 1

You are equalizing the pressure on both sides of your ear drums. When the pressure is unequal the ear drum is forced slightly out of shape. There are thin tubes (eustachian tubes) that connect the middle ear to the nose/mouth area in order to keep the pressure equal. They don’t equalize it instantly, though, and they can get swollen when sick making it harder to push air through.