In: Anatomy and Physiology
What happens when you are on an airplane and you feel your ears start to “pop” or have a plugged-up feeling that is somewhat relieved when you swallow? Why does this feeling of the eardrum occur, and why does swallowing relieve the symptoms?
Generally, the pressure inside the ear is somewhat equal to the pressure inside the ear and we don't feel any plugged up feeling. But while traveling in an airplane, the change in the altitude is so rapid that air pressure and pressure inside the ear don't have to get equal.
When the flight takes off and the plane starts to rise up, the pressure inside the ear starts to rise and it becomes greater than the outside pressure, this causes the Tympanic membrane to push outwards or swell outside.
similarly, when the air pressure inside the ear is less than the outside pressure, the tympanic membrane will move inwards creating a vacuum. This stretch in eardrum causes pain.
During Swallowing: We usually hear a click or pop sound which is because of the movement of the air bubble from nose to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. The tube maintains that the air which is present inside the middle ear is continuously being replenished. The air which is present in the middle ear is then absorbed to the inner ear and the cycle again starts. The constant cycle makes sure that the pressure inside and outside the ear remains equal.