The audiologist explained the reasons for the discomfort in the ears during the flight

The feeling of stuffiness in the ears during takeoff and landing is a normal reaction of the body to pressure changes. However, in some cases, a characteristic clap may occur. The reasons for this phenomenon were explained on July 28 by audiologist, President of the American Academy of Audiology Patricia Gaffney to Popular Science magazine.

According to the expert, the Eustachian tube, a narrow channel connecting the middle ear with the nasopharynx, plays a key role in the process.

"The job of the Eustachian tube is to help maintain pressure in an equal place from the outside of the ear to the middle of the ear," Gaffney said.

According to the expert, when an airplane abruptly changes altitude, the external pressure changes faster than the internal pressure. To compensate for the difference, the Eustachian tube opens, and a person hears a characteristic pop — this is a protective function that allows the eardrum to maintain mobility and ensure normal perception of sounds.

According to the newspaper, under normal conditions, the tube opens when swallowing, yawning or talking. However, such actions may not be enough in flight conditions, so passengers are advised to use additional methods, such as chewing gum or candy, as well as forcibly opening the Eustachian tube.

The specialist concluded that the feeling of popping in the ears on an airplane is a normal physiological phenomenon that does not require medical intervention if it is not accompanied by pain.

Therapeutic defect: which diseases are dangerous to treat on your own

Doctors told me what's wrong with people who don't seek help from doctors.

On May 15, Vladimir Neronov, a gastroenterologist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), MD, told Izvestia that under normal conditions, the internal pressure in the body is balanced with the external atmospheric pressure, which ensures a stable condition of all organs and tissues. While a sudden climb causes a change in balance, the internal pressure increases. However, the main danger is not the height difference itself, but the increase in intra-abdominal pressure caused by it.