Wikipedia

Taking off in an airplane always means one thing for me — the unpleasant feeling of my ears popping.

If you’ve ever chewed gum to keep the pressure in your ears from going haywire, you’re actually enlisting the help of a pipe that runs between your ear and the back of your throat called the Eustachian tube.

advertisement

The Eustachian tube is constantly working to keep your ears feeling at ease. It’s called into action to maintain steady pressure, whether you’re swallowing a sip of coffee or riding up to the 40th floor in an elevator.

In the latest episode of “Boddities,” I find out what’s really going on when our ears pop, and what can help get them back to normal.

Watch other “Boddities” episodes:

advertisement

Related: Watch: Episode 3: Why doesn’t your stomach digest itself?

Related: Watch: Episode 2: Why does it hurt to get water up your nose?

Related: Watch: Episode 1: Does drinking soda help settle an upset stomach?