Your ear pops when you blow your nose because pressure moves through the Eustachian tube. Blow gently to avoid pushing germs into the ear.
Why
The Eustachian tube links the middle ear to the back of the nose. Blowing pushes air through it and changes ear pressure.
Don’t blow hard
Strong blowing can push germs into the ear.
Better way
Blow gently, one nostril at a time.
Other causes
Colds, allergies and sinus infection.
Relief
Swallow, yawn or chew gum.
See a doctor
If pain, hearing loss or fluid occurs.
The Eustachian tube
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. It equalizes air pressure on both sides of the eardrum. When you blow your nose hard, you force air up the tube, causing a pop or a feeling of fullness.
Pressure effects
Strong nose blowing can create pressure in the nasopharynx of up to 100 mmHg or more, which can push air and mucus into the middle ear. In rare cases, it can rupture the eardrum or carry infected mucus into the middle ear.
Blow gently
- Blow one nostril at a time, with the other pressed closed.
- Use light pressure.
- Use saline spray first to thin mucus.
- Consider wiping or suctioning for children.
Other causes
- Eustachian tube dysfunction from colds, allergies or sinus infections.
- Changes in altitude (flights, mountains).
- Enlarged adenoids in children.
- Patulous Eustachian tube, where the tube stays open, causing the sound of your own breathing.
- Earwax.
Relief
- Swallow, yawn or chew gum.
- Use a decongestant or steroid nasal spray for congestion.
- Use a saline rinse.
- Try the Valsalva maneuver gently: pinch nose closed, close mouth and breathe out gently. Don’t do it forcefully.
- Take an antihistamine for allergies.
Ear pain
Fluid in the ear, or infections, can accompany pressure. Treatments depend on cause.
See a doctor if
Ear pain, hearing loss, drainage, dizziness, fever or symptoms last more than a week or two. Ear tubes can help people with chronic problems.
Flying
Use filtered earplugs, chew gum and stay awake during descent.
The ear’s pressure valve
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat and equalizes pressure. Blowing your nose hard can push air up the tube and cause popping, and it can also push mucus and bacteria into the middle ear, increasing infection risk, which is why gentle blowing is advised. Blow one nostril at a time.
Relief
Swallowing, yawning, chewing gum or the Valsalva maneuver done gently can open the tubes. Allergies, colds and sinus infection can block them. Seek care for severe pain, hearing loss, dizziness, drainage or if popping lasts more than a few days. Ear pain with fever is common in children and often needs assessment.
Based on data from the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Otolaryngology
