Query !!!

[hugginsc]

Can anyone explain why it is that the ear gets blocked when coming into land after a plane journey.

This happens to me on every plane journey, short and long distance. It does not hurt, but I am curious as to why this happens.

I understand it has something to do with atmospheric pressure, but if anyone could explain it abit more, much appeciated.

Thanks

[Doc Spock]

should keep you busy.

http://www.texasneurosciences.com/hearingMecha nism.htm

[Octavius]

This sensation is related to pressure changes in the air space behind the eardrum (the middle ear).

It is the eustachian tube which causes the �blocked� sensation.

Normally, the eustachian tube, a passageway that leads from the middle ear to the back of the throat behind the nose, equalizes the air pressure in the middle ear to the outside air pressure by opening and letting air reach the middle ear. When your ears "pop" while yawning or swallowing, your eustachian tubes are adjusting the air pressure in your middle ears. It is your body�s natural defence mechanism for coping with the abnormal air changes.

When flying (or indeed scuba diving, climbing a mountain, or even riding in a lift) air pressure decreases as you go higher and increases as you go lower. If the pressure isn't equalized, the higher air pressure pushes on one side of the eardrum and causes pain. This is why we are encouraged to yawn or eat boiled sweets for the �pop�, in order to help the body balance the pressure, as swallowing helps the tube to open.

Children�s tubes are narrower and often blocked by various nasty things such as mucus from a cold, or Lego pieces etc. and so they may feel a greater amount of pain as their ears may not pop, or might just take a lot longer to balance.