This Western New York Road Makes My Ears Pop Like Crazy

Western New York is such a unique place to live and work and play. However, there are few places that offer so many unique roads to drive on as well.

There is no doubt that on a road trip, at some point in your life, you have either noticed, or complained, about your ears popping when going up and down a road with large hills. It is one of those things that happen that you just have to let everyone know about when it happens to you.

But what road in Western New York will pop those ears the most? There is one that gets me every single time I am on it and because of the rapid increase in elevation, I think it is the worst.

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I have lived in the Southtowns of Buffalo, New York my entire life and am used to the rolling hills. Whether on a bicycle or in my truck, climbing up one side, and coasting down the other is just a part of life for us. However, maybe I am unique, but my ears never seem to get used to the elevation changes.

I was headed to a dentist appointment in Colden recently and had to trek up Omphalius Road in Boston. The route takes me from Boston State Road all the way up to the top! It is a quick change in elevation and my ears pop like crazy! When we have the kids, there is a good chance that our youngest (18 months) will notice the pressure change first and without a pacifier or snack, it really makes her whine about her ears.

I have gone up Omphalius Road on a bike on the same route and, yes it is not easy. However, my ears go nuts every time! For those with a little more ambition and want a good challenge, there is a hill climb website for cycling on Omphalius! According to that website, the elevation change is around 190 meters or 623 feet!

While everyone has a solution or way to keep your ears from popping, one that I had not considered is "Drinking plenty of water can help keep these membranes moist and functional, reducing the likelihood of ear popping".

There are dozens of other roads south of Buffalo that have a good elevation change. 20A heading east of East Aurora, Route 219 hear East Concord, the climb from Westfield to Mayville in Chautauqua County and a few in Cattaraugus County are some of them. However, Omphalius seems to be the worst!