The National Park Service reported 323 million recreation visits in 2025.[1] Texas is lucky enough to enjoy two beautiful national parks: Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains. If you’re planning a summer trip to the stunning Emory Peak—reaching 7,825 ft in elevation—in Big Bend or one of Guadalupe Mountain’s many trails, remember to keep an eye on your ears.
Swift changes in elevation can cause a sensation of fullness or a popping in the ears. Let’s look at why this happens and how you can manage it.
How Elevation Affects the Ears
Your ears contain tiny channels called Eustachian tubes—the tubes balance pressure between your environment and your middle ear. When something like a sudden elevation change dramatically changes the air in your environment, your Eustachian tubes can struggle to keep up; they won’t open and close normally. We call that pressure shift Eustachian tube dysfunction, also known as airplane ear. The result is a popping sensation or feeling of fullness.
Most cases of ear pressure aren’t dangerous, just uncomfortable. Your ears will typically resolve on their own when they get used to the new environment or when you return to your regular elevation. In cases of severe or prolonged Eustachian tube dysfunction, torn eardrums or temporary hearing loss are possible.
Managing Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
There are a few ways you can manage Eustachian tube dysfunction, and you can do them while hiking or driving:
- Chew gum or suck on a lollipop. The jaw movements you make when chewing gum or swallowing will open the Eustachian tubes.
- Yawn. Like chewing gum, yawning helps open your Eustachian tubes.
- Use the Valsalva maneuver. Squeeze your nostrils closed and gently blow air into them. Because you need a hand to perform the maneuver, wait until you’re not driving to do so.
- Use filtered earplugs. Filtered earplugs lessen the severity of pressure shifts. If you’re prone to painful Eustachian tube dysfunction, wear your plugs during flights or long drives. You should remain aware when driving, so if you’re wearing plugs, it’s best to let someone else drive.
- Take medication. If you have allergies or a cold that are causing sinus or ear inflammation, take medication to reduce your risk of Eustachian tube dysfunction. Avoid taking decongestants for more than a couple of days in a row to prevent rebound congestion.
By following the above tips, you can stop unpleasant ear popping from ruining an otherwise perfect hiking trip. For more information on caring for your ears, contact Benke Ear Nose & Throat Clinic today.
[1] National Park Service. (2025). Visitor use statistics dashboard. U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/visitor-use-statistics-dashboard.htm