The eardrum separates the ear canal and the middle ear. If air pressure in the ear canal from outside air and air pressure in the middle ear change rapidly or are unequal, the eardrum can be damaged. Normally, the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear and the back of the nose, helps maintain equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum by allowing outside air to enter the middle ear. When outside air pressure changes suddenly—for example, during the ascent or descent of an airplane or a deep-sea dive Ear barotrauma (ear squeeze) Barotrauma is tissue injury caused by a change in pressure, which compresses or expands gas contained in various body structures. The lungs, gastrointestinal tract, part of the face covered... read more —air must move through the eustachian tube to equalize the pressure in the middle ear. (See also Barotrauma Barotrauma Barotrauma is tissue injury caused by a change in pressure, which compresses or expands gas contained in various body structures. The lungs, gastrointestinal tract, part of the face covered... read more .)
If the eustachian tube is partly or completely blocked because of scarring, a tumor, an infection, the common cold, or an allergy, air cannot move in and out of the middle ear. The resulting pressure difference causes pain and often hearing loss and may bruise the eardrum or even cause it to rupture and bleed. If the pressure difference is very great, the oval window (the entrance into the inner ear from the middle ear) also may rupture, allowing fluid from the inner ear to leak into the middle ear (a perilymph fistula). Hearing loss or vertigo occurring during descent in a deep-sea dive suggests that such leakage is taking place. The same symptoms occurring during ascent suggest that an air bubble has formed in the inner ear.
The Eustachian Tube: Keeping Air Pressure Equal
The eustachian tube helps maintain equal air pressure on both sides of the eardrum by allowing outside air to enter the middle ear. If the eustachian tube is blocked, air cannot reach the middle ear, so the pressure there decreases. When air pressure is lower in the middle ear than in the ear canal, the eardrum bulges inward. The pressure difference can cause pain and can bruise or rupture the eardrum.  |
Prevention of Barotrauma of the Ear
People who have an infection or an allergy affecting the nose and throat may experience discomfort when they fly in a plane or dive. Such activities should be avoided until the infection or allergy is controlled. However, if these activities are necessary, a decongestant, such as phenylephrine nose drops or nasal spray used 30 to 60 minutes before ascent or descent, relieves congestion and helps open the eustachian tubes, equalizing pressure on the eardrums.
Treatment of Barotrauma of the Ear
Maneuvers to relieve pressure
When sudden changes in pressure cause a sense of fullness or pain in the ear, often the pressure in the middle ear can be equalized and the discomfort can be relieved by several maneuvers. If outside pressure is decreasing, as in a plane ascending, the person should try breathing with the mouth open, yawning, chewing gum, or swallowing. Any of these measures may open the eustachian tube and allow air out of the middle ear. If outside pressure is increasing, as in a plane descending or a diver going deeper underwater, the person should pinch the nose shut, hold the mouth closed, and try to blow gently out through the nose. This will force air through the blocked eustachian tube.
If people have a perilymph fistula, surgery may be necessary.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
phenylephrine |
4-Way Nasal, Ah-Chew D, AK-Dilate, Anu-Med, Biorphen, Formulation R , Foster & Thrive Nasal Decongestion, Gilchew IR, Hemorrhoidal , Little Remedies for Noses, Lusonal, Mydfrin, Nasop, Nasop 12, Neofrin, Neo-Synephrine, Neo-Synephrine Cold + Allergy, Neo-Synephrine Extra Strength, Neo-Synephrine Mild, Ocu-Phrin, PediaCare Children's Decongestant, PediaCare Decongestant, PediaCare Infants' Decongestant, Sinex Nasal, Sudafed PE, Sudafed PE Children's Nasal Decongestant , Sudafed PE Congestion, Sudafed PE Sinus Congestion, Sudogest PE, Vazculep |
