What is Ear Barotrauma
Ear barotrauma is irritation and swelling (inflammation) around the eardrum (middle ear). This happens when a change in air pressure causes a blockage in a tube in the ear (eustachian tube). A pressure change may happen when:
- Flying in an airplane.
- Coming to the surface too quickly when scuba diving.
- Going to a high place (high altitude) quickly.
- Being too close to an explosion or blast.
Follow these instructions at home:
General instructions
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
- “Pop”
your ears (equalize pressure) as told by your doctor. Ways to pop
your ears include:
- Yawning.
- Chewing gum.
- Swallowing.
- Holding your nose closed and gently blowing.
- Do notput anything into your ears to clean or unplug them. Ear drops will not help.
- Do
notdo the following until your doctor says it is okay:
- Travel to places that are high above sea level, such as mountains.
- Fly.
- Scuba dive.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.
How is this prevented?
- Avoid activities that may bring pressure changes when you have symptoms of a cold or stuffiness (congestion).
- If you have stuffiness and will be flying, take medicine to relieve stuffiness (decongestant) 30–60 minutes before flying.
- When
flying, during takeoff and landing:
- Chew gum.
- Swallow hard and often.
- Hold your nose closed and gently blow to pop your ears.
- Yawn during air pressure changes.
- If scuba diving, dive feet first and pop your ears often as you go deeper.
Contact a doctor if:
- Your symptoms get worse.
- Your symptoms do not get better.
- You feel dizzy (vertigo).
- You have hearing loss.
- You have a fever.
Get help right away if:
- You have very bad ear pain.
- You have a very bad headache.
- You have very bad dizziness.
- You have blood or pus coming from your ear.
- You have balance problems.
- You cannot move or feel part of your face.
Summary
- Ear barotrauma is irritation and swelling (inflammation) around the eardrum (middle ear).
- This condition may be treated with medicines or by “popping” your ears (equalizing pressure).
- You can take steps to help prevent ear barotrauma.
