Jet travelers often encounter the potentially painful problem (medically known as “barotrauma”) of having their ears blocked and in need of “popping.” Most people respond to this annoying sensation by yawning, which helps to open the Eustachian tubes and regulate pressure in the middle ear. It may also help to sip water and swallow to activate the muscles that open the Eustachian tube. If these methods don’t work, the “Valsava maneuver” may be tried, which involves taking a deep breath and pinch the nose shut. Then, keeping the mouth closed, the individuals tries to gently blow air through his or her nose. Another tactic, the Toynbee maneuver, involves pinching the nose closed and closing the mouth, then trying to swallow.
If you’ve tried just about every tactic you can think of to deal with your diminished hearing—shouting, turning up the volume, avoiding conversation, and withdrawing from social situations—now try an audiologist. At BETTER HEARING CENTER, we have extensive training and skills that enable us to understand and diagnose your loss, state-of-the-art testing facilities, and the very latest in hearing instruments to correct your impairment. Take the first painless step toward better hearing. Call us to schedule a hearing test at New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. One tactic for popping the ears, called the Frenzel maneuver, involves pinching the nose closed and using the tongue to make a clicking, or “K,” sound.
