What is Ear Barotrauma?

Barotrauma ear concerns discomfort, pain and damage caused by pressure differences between inner and outer ear. It is a common type of ear trauma, which usually does not cause serious or permanent damage to the ear. Ear Barotrauma usually causes feelings of discomfort and pressure in the ears and can cause temporary hearing loss. Heavy batrauma ear can cause pain, intense feelings of pressure, nosebleed, burst ear drum or severe hearing loss.

The ear has three main sections: outer, medium and inner ears. The connection of the outer ear and the middle ear is separated by a structure called the ear drum that is necessary for hearing. The middle ear and nose and upper throat are connected using a tube called eustachian tubes that help maintain the same pressure in outer and inner ear. If this tube is blocked, the pressure balance cannot be maintained, leading to the pressure difference between the outer and inner ear. Ear Barotrauma is caused by pressure difference.

EAR Barotrauma is most common in situations where someone moves to or from a higher pressure environment. For most people, these situations occur when they fly on an aircraft, go out or go on a mountain or dive on free diving or diving. The risk of ear damage is increased in someone who has an overloaded nose due to infection or allergies of the upper roads. This is because overload increases the likelihood that the Eustachian pipes will be blocked.

In general, barotrauma caused by flying on the plane is harmless. The pressure difference created is the small and the discomfort that causes can be reduced by chewing rubber, suction of candies, yawning or swallowing during the output or descent of the plane. In most cases, the symptoms are completely cleaned shortly after the output or descent of the IS, but the blocked eustachian tubes can extend the duration of symptoms.

risk of serious ear damage due to ear barotrauma is the highest when decreased or risein water during diving. The descent only 10 meters (33 feet) underwater double the ambient pressure on the diver. If the pressure balance cannot be maintained, significant damage such as a cracked ear drum may occur.

This risk of this type of barotrauma can be reduced by descent and rise slowly during dive or using a technique called valsalva maneuver. In this technique, the individual is gently exhaled while holding his nose and mouth closed. In addition, someone with symptoms of allergy or respiratory infection should avoid diving due to an increased risk of blocked Eustachian pipes.