Atmospheric pressure changes and ear problems
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Atmospheric pressure changes and ear problems
Ear injuries can occur when air pressure outside the ear increases or decreases while the air pressure inside the ear remains the same. This might happen when an airplane changes altitude or when a scuba diver descends or ascends under water.
- When air pressure outside the ear increases suddenly, the force of the air can cause a ruptured eardrum (barotrauma).
- A gradual increase in air pressure outside the ear can result in the buildup of fluid in the space behind the eardrum (otitis media with effusion).
Credits
| Author | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology |
| Last Updated | February 23, 2006 |
| Last updated: | February 23, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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