[azapa]

ryan, you should be standing on a roof, "in front of the computer" was not on Fondues recommended list.

I think to answer you, in my non doer way, you keep them open rather than periodic cracking. Right now, your ears are not pressurising unless you are pinching your nose and blowing or suchlike. The crackling is just the tubes opening.

i'm off to the roof now, "crackle crackle"