# ear popping **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 25, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-popping/490792 "2009-03-25T21:20:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Arbl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Arbl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arbl)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-popping/490792/1 "2009-03-25T21:20:20Z")
over the last 8 years of flying four times each year, ive learned that you can force them to pop. pinching your nose and closing your mouth and blowing is one way. the simple way, is to ask for a coffee cup with a hot towel at the bottom. the steam will loosen up the passages there and your ears will pop! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-popping/490792/2 "2009-03-25T23:27:07Z")
> [@](#): > > ive learned that you can force them to pop. pinching your nose and closing your mouth and blowing is one way. That’s called the Valsalva maneuver. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-popping/490792/3 "2009-03-26T07:05:44Z")
Welcome to the SDMB, Arbl. A link to the column you’re commenting on is appreciated. Providing one can be as simple as pasting the URL into your post, being sure to leave a blank space on either side of it. Like so: [What’s going on when your ears pop? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/71/whats-going-on-when-your-ears-pop)