What may cause a person’s ears to get hurt during take-off or landing of an aircraft ?

Ear pain during aircraft takeoff or landing, known as ear barotrauma, is caused by rapid changes in cabin air pressure [t2, t5]. The Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat, is responsible for equalizing pressure on both sides of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) [t2, t9]. During ascent, external pressure decreases, causing air in the middle ear to expand; during descent, external pressure increases, pushing the eardrum inward [t4, t8]. If the Eustachian tube fails to open quickly enough to balance these changes, a pressure imbalance occurs [t5, t7]. This imbalance causes the tympanic membrane to stretch significantly inward or outward, which triggers pain and a sensation of fullness [t7, t8]. While severe cases can lead to fluid buildup or injury, the immediate cause of discomfort during flight transitions is the mechanical stretching of this membrane [t7].