It's AumSum Time.
Why do our Ears Hurt when we Fly?
Because they play heavy rock music in-flight.
Oh AumSum.
Let me explain.
When sound waves enter our ear, they make our eardrum vibrate.
And are eventually interpreted as sounds by our brain.
Our eardrum is located between the ear canal and the middle ear.
The air present in both these areas can affect the position of our eardrum.
Now, before we take off.
The air pressure in the ear canal and the middle ear is the same.
When the flight begins to take off.
The air pressure in the airplane and thus the ear canal begins to drop.
Now, due to higher air pressure in the middle ear.
Our eardrum is pushed outwards, causing us pain.
Similarly, the opposite happens while landing.
Our eardrum is pushed inwards, again causing us pain.