why do my ears 'pop' when there is thunder about?

[Noraq]

Is it something to do with air pressure?

[boxtops]

I think it must be, mine do too - I start to get a headache when it gets oppresive, too.

[wildwood]

Yes, low atmospheric pressure. The pressure at the inside of your ear becomes greater than the atmospheric pressure so they 'pop'. It also happens when you go up a mountain or in a plane.

[DTCwordfan]

chew a sweet and if you start to get pain, it's because your Eustachian is blocked. (Try flying with sinus problems!)

One of the best tips I got, from one of an aircrew, is to take a hot flannel or towel, hot as you can bear it, and slap it over your ear for five to ten mins. The fluidin there starts to get less viscous and it should, at some point, pop.....

[boxtops]

You can't slap flannels on your ears when you are in the office and a thunderstorm is on its way, LOL!

[DTCwordfan]

why not?

[DTCwordfan]

paper towels - though not as efficient.

[boxtops]

LOL, they think I've lost the plot anyway, that would confirm it!

[Arti]

You've always got flannel, Boxy ;) x

[boxtops]

well thank you arti.....;-)

[DTCwordfan]

Nice parka there, Arti.....shouldn't have any problem with cold ears in there.

[boxtops]

Shame I can't see his ears to give one a friendly smack... ;-)

[Arti]

Thanks, DT :) The hood will protect me from Boxy's slap, too :)

[boxtops]

It's a very fetching shade of pink, arti.

[Arti]

It's NOT pink, Boxy........it's salmon! x

[boxtops]

It's pink this end!

[Arti]

Stop being coarse! You always bring the tone down, Boxy ;)

[boxtops]

LOL arti, only you could read it that way, no wonder you've got your hood up ;-)