Why do your ears pop?

Answer 1

I think it's due to a change in atmospheric pressure; if you go up or down the density of the air around varies. As you fall closer to the Earth's surface the density of the air increases (probably due to gravity). I think that the pressure of the air inside your ears should be equal to the pressure of the air surrounding you. Your ears should naturally adjust the pressure inside your head to account for any vertical movement, however too much vertical movement will be too much for your ears to change pressure levels without quickly evacuating air (which gives the popping sensation). You ears would most likely pop when you are in a helicopter or plane, also Scuba divers employ measures to deliberately pop their ears as they descend (as water is a lot more pressured than air). You should notice that just before your ear pops, the quality of sound input will be poor, this is due to the bubble of air. Air can be evacuated through your nose. This can explain why you get ear aches when you have a cold. Ear popping can often relieve pain in your ear in such incidents. You can deliberately pop your ears by taking in a deep breath and closing your mouth, then pinch your nose with your finger and thumb and try to blow out all the air in your lungs through your nose (air shouldn't escape if you are holding your nose properly), the resulting density of air in your head will force your ear to pop. This is the trick divers use.

Answer 2

Well your ear pops because when the pressure in the air suddenly changes, your ears are telling you that the pressure has either become greater or let go a little bit.