Have you ever had a blocked ear after flying or going diving? What you experienced is called barotrauma, or ear barotrauma. Essentially, it’s the difference between the air pressure in the middle ear and the surrounding air pressure, which creates an imbalance and pressure between the outer and inner sides of the eardrum.
The Eustachian tube is responsible for letting air in and out of the middle ear, keeping the air pressure on either side of the eardrum equal. The problem arises when the tube can’t regulate this pressure, causing ear barotrauma. Most of the time this is due to environmental conditions, but it can sometimes be down to the anatomy of the person affected.
Causes
The most common cause of barotrauma is sudden changes in altitude, such as when flying, diving, or driving through the mountains. But there are also other factors that can arise as a result of other conditions, or that may be congenital, such as a blocked Eustachian tube, which stops air from passing through. Other factors that can contribute to barotrauma include nasal congestion, whether from allergies or infections, as well as a sore throat.
Symptoms
Barotrauma can affect one or both ears. The most common symptoms are:
- A congested or blocked-ear feeling.
- Mild hearing loss.
- Ear pain or discomfort, without it being severe pain.
In more serious cases, symptoms can include:
- Intense ear pain.
- A lot of pressure in the ears.
- Severe hearing loss.
- Tinnitus.
- Intense dizziness or vertigo.
- Bleeding from the nose or ear.
Prevention and treatment
In most cases, barotrauma can be prevented:
- Yawning and swallowing during ascent and descent.
- The Valsalva manoeuvre during take-off and landing: pinch your nose shut with your fingers and blow gently while keeping your mouth closed, which helps equalise the pressure in your ears.
- If you have nasal congestion, a cold, sinusitis or an ear infection, it’s best to reconsider flying, since if barotrauma occurs, the symptoms could be considerably worse. It’s also best to avoid diving.
- Using a nasal decongestant spray.
