Don't wait for pain to start. Begin gently popping your ears as soon as the pilot announces the descent. When to See a Doctor
During takeoff and landing, rapid altitude changes create an air pressure imbalance between your middle ear and the cabin. The Eustachian tube (a narrow passage connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat) struggles to equalize pressure, leading to a "plugged" feeling, muffled hearing, or pain. how to pop ears after airplane