0:19:50 > 0:19:57.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06Welcome to Science Fiction,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09the show where we take your questions about science...
0:20:09 > 0:20:13..and separate the fact from the fiction. Magic, boy.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Today's question, please, BUD E.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Hold on there, lads, I'm only after booting up.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Today's question comes from Kevin in Glasnevin.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28When your ears pop, is it the sound of an earwig exploding?
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Well, Kevin, some of the most common reasons for popping ears are
0:20:31 > 0:20:35earwigs making popcorn, centipedes playing with bubble wrap,
0:20:35 > 0:20:37tiny ants letting off fireworks...
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Professor, you know that's not true.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Sorry, you're right, I was making it all up.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Popping ears result from changes in air pressure - usually
0:20:45 > 0:20:47when going from a low altitude to high altitude
0:20:47 > 0:20:48or vice versa.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Like when you're in an aeroplane. Wheee!
0:20:51 > 0:20:55The human ear is a complex system of canals or tubes
0:20:55 > 0:20:58channelling sound from the outside world to your brain.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Here we go, here we go, here we go.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04When the pressure outside is different to the pressure inside,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07this can cause your ears to pop.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Just like a cork coming out of a bottle of pop.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Do you get it? Pop, cork?
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Up Cork!
0:21:13 > 0:21:14- Professor!- Whoa!
0:21:14 > 0:21:16So, Kevin, now you know,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19it's changes in air pressure that cause your ears to pop.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Not bugs exploding in your ears.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25Sure, that's just a load of old science fiction.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32So, is that what they mean when they say pop music, is it?
0:21:32 > 0:21:35It makes your ears go pop.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38The music, is it? Hello?