While traveling in the mountains on vacation, your 7-year-old niece begins to complain about the pressure in her ears as you reach higher altitudes. which structure within the middle ear is instrumental in equalizing middle ear pressure?

The middle air is composed of dead air spaces. When the pressure outside is different (high or low) compared to your middle ear, you experience pain in your ears. This is common when you ride airplanes or diving under the water. You can vent your ear spaces by opening your Eustachian tubes. This can be done by swallowing, pushing your jaw forward or when burping.