How to Pop Your Ears
3. Swallowing
Have you ever wondered why you are sometimes offered candies when you are about to take off? In addition to wanting to give you a tasty treat to enjoy, cabin staff may also be giving you something that will help to avoid ear barotrauma. It works because sucking on candies encourages you to swallow regularly, and this can help to equalize the pressure.
When we swallow, the movement of the muscles involved causes the eustachian tube to open. Thus, air will be able to escape out from the inner ear, causing the pressure to become the same as it is on the outside. Chewing gum can also help with this.
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