ELI5 Yawning - why is hearing reduced when you yawn?

ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast

It's a myth that we yawn to intake more oxygen - so why do we yawn? Why is hearing reduced when you yawn? Why does yawning pop your ears on a plane? Why are yawns contagious?

... We explain like i'm five!

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community as always and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: provin1327, torsionfree, rob3110, rhapsodysparkles, wingfoot6, fendrbud, xucker, halikan & duzzeno

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

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