Here’s a clear, informative write-up on the subject: That sudden feeling of fullness, muffled hearing, or slight discomfort in your ears—often described as “popped” or “plugged”—usually happens after changes in altitude (flying, driving through mountains, taking an elevator in a skyscraper), a cold, allergies, or even scuba diving. While it’s rarely dangerous, it can be distracting and annoying. Here’s a look at why it happens and, more importantly, how to fix it. Why do ears “pop” in the first place? The sensation of “popping” is actually your ear’s natural pressure-release mechanism. Deep inside your ear, the Eustachian tube connects your middle ear to the back of your throat. Its job is to equalize air pressure on both sides of your eardrum.
