How To Unblock: Ears After Plane

Now go pop those ears—and enjoy being back on solid ground. Have your own weird trick for unblocking ears? Drop it in the comments. (We promise not to laugh unless it involves interpretive dance.)

Your hearing will return. The gnome will leave. And next time you fly, you’ll be the calm person handing gum to the panicking passenger next to you. how to unblock ears after plane

But don’t panic. Here’s why it happens, and—more importantly—how to fix it. Let’s get the quick science out of the way. Your ears have a pressure-regulation system (the eustachian tubes). During takeoff and landing, cabin air pressure changes faster than your body can keep up. Normally, swallowing or yawning opens those tubes and equalizes things. Now go pop those ears—and enjoy being back on solid ground

Except… the world sounds like you’re underwater. Your own voice sounds muffled and distant. And that dull, achy pressure in your ears? It feels like a tiny, angry gnome has taken up residence in your eustachian tubes. (We promise not to laugh unless it involves