Why does my ears pop when I fly??

Question

And I end up have this terrible headache

Answer 1

I got this from the web, maybe it will help your situation....
Flying is sometimes associated with rapid changes in air pressure. To maintain comfort, the Eustachian tube must open frequently and wide enough to equalize the changes in pressure. This is especially true when the airplane is landing, going from low atmospheric pressure down closer to earth where the air pressure is higher.
Actually, any situation in which rapid altitude or pressure changes occur creates the problem. You may have experienced it when riding in elevators or when diving to the bottom of a swimming pool. Deep sea divers are taught how to equalize their ear pressures; so are pilots. You can learn the tricks too:
Swallowing activates the muscle that opens the Eustachian tube. You swallow more often when you chew gum or let mints melt in your mouth. These are good air travel practices, especially just before take-off and during descent. Yawning is even better. Avoid sleeping during descent, because you may not be swallowing often enough to keep up with the pressure changes. (The flight attendant will be happy to awaken you just before descent.)
If yawning and swallowing are not effective, unblock your ears is as follows:
Step 1: Pinch your nostrils shut.
Step 2: Take a mouthful of air.
Step 3: Using your cheek and throat muscles, force the air into the back of your nose as if you were trying to blow your thumb and fingers off your nostrils.
When you hear a loud pop in your ears, you have succeeded. You may have to repeat this several times during descent.
Babies' ears
Babies cannot intentionally pop their ears, but popping may occur if they are sucking on a bottle or pacifier. Feed your baby during the flight, and do not allow him or her to sleep during descent.
Precautions
•When inflating your ears, you should not use force. The proper technique involves only pressure created by your cheek and throat muscles.
•If you have a cold, a sinus infection or an allergy attack, it is best to postpone an airplane trip.
•If you recently have undergone ear surgery, consult with your surgeon on how soon you may safely fly.
Try using a decongestant pill or nasal spray an hour or so before descent This will shrink the membranes and help the ears pop more easily. Travelers with allergy problems should take their medication at the beginning of the flight for the same reason.
Decongestant tablets and sprays can be purchased without a prescription However, they should be avoided by persons with heart disease, high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, thyroid disease or excessive nervousness. Such people should consult their physicians before using these medicines. Pregnant women should likewise consult their physicians first.
If your ears will not unblock
Even after landing you can continue the pressure equalizing techniques, and you may find the decongestants and nose sprays to be helpful. (However, avoid making a habit of nose sprays. After a few days they may cause more congestion than they relieve.) If your ears fail to open, or if pain persists, you will need to seek the help of a physician who has experience in the care of ear disorders. He/she may need to release the pressure or fluid with a small incision in the eardrum.

Answer 2

It is the middle ear that pops and causes discomfort during air travel, because it is an air pocket inside the head that is vulnerable to changes in air pressure.

Normally, each time (or each second or third time) you swallow, your ears make a little click or popping sound. This occurs because a small bubble of air has entered your middle ear, up from the back of your nose. It passes through the Eustachian tube, a membrane-lined tube about the size of a pencil lead that connects the back of the nose with the middle ear. The air in the middle ear is constantly being absorbed by its membranous lining and resupplied through the Eustachian tube. In this manner, air pressure on both sides of the eardrum stays about equal. If and when the air pressure is not equal, the ear feels blocked.

Answer 3

I think it is more related to the air pressure inside of the plane. It shows the same effect like driving up a mountain. The pressure within the plane slowly gets less and your body cannot adjust to it fast enough. So there is some 'over pressure' within your head (especially your ears) that results in the ear plopping phenomena.
What helped me best is chewing a chewing gum. That keeps your face in motion, what allows your ears to adjust more easily.

Answer 4

because that you are a high altitude above sea level. when i swim to the bottom of the pool at the 'Y', its 10 feet down, and my ears pop then too.

Answer 5

Ive heard chewing gum, and Lollipops work.

Answer 6

most likely when the pilot sets the pressurization to your destination you don't get used to it as well as other people.

Answer 7

because of the altitude you are flying at...

Answer 8

atmospheric pressure ...causing pressure in your skull
google it?