Do headphones stop ears from popping on a plane?

Ugh, flying. Just the word makes me cringe a little. And it’s not the cramped seats, the questionable airplane food, or the screaming baby three rows back that gets to me (although, let’s be honest, those are all contenders). No, the absolute worst part of flying, for me at least, is that agonizing ear-popping pressure during takeoff and landing.

I’ve tried everything to alleviate that awful feeling. Seriously, everything. And that includes headphones. Plenty of people swear by them, saying they somehow equalize the pressure. But in my experience, they’re about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. Completely useless. I’ve tried noise-canceling headphones, regular over-ear headphones, even those tiny earbuds – nothing. Zilch. Nada. The pressure builds, my ears throb, and my headphones just sit there, mocking me with their silent, ineffective presence.

Now, I’m not a doctor, but I’ve done some digging, and the science seems to support my anecdotal evidence. The popping sensation is caused by the change in air pressure affecting the air trapped in your middle ear. This pressure difference causes the eardrum to bulge inwards or outwards, creating that uncomfortable pressure. Headphones, even tightly fitted ones, don’t create a sealed environment around your ear that would meaningfully counteract this pressure difference. They might slightly muffle the sound of the pressure change, but they do absolutely nothing to actually equalize the pressure in your middle ear.

What does work? According to the Mayo Clinic and numerous other reliable sources, the best ways to deal with ear pressure changes during flights are:

• Yawning or swallowing: This helps open the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, allowing air to equalize.
• Chewing gum: This stimulates the same muscles involved in swallowing.
• The Valsalva maneuver: This involves gently pinching your nostrils closed, closing your mouth, and trying to exhale gently. (Be careful not to do this too forcefully!) This can help force air into your Eustachian tubes.
• Decongestants: If you’re prone to ear congestion, taking a decongestant before your flight can help.

So, my personal opinion? Save your money and the extra baggage weight. Don’t bother with headphones to prevent ear popping. They’re a waste of time and energy. Stick to the tried and true methods listed above. And if all else fails, bring a good book and try to distract yourself from the throbbing in your ears. Believe me, I’ve learned the hard way!