Sometimes, they may have to manage emergencies like ear bleeding by apply ear packs. Self-care steps - such as yawning, swallowing or chewing gum - usually can counter the differences in air pressure. Although the airline authorities provide a lot of instructions to the passengers regarding emergency landing in the water, power failures, low oxygen supply to the cabin and so on airplane ear remains a neglected health issue in aerospace safety measures.įurthermore, if a baby suddenly cries or elderly adults feel ear discomfort or pain during rapid descent of ascent of an airplane, then the flight attendants would rush to the sufferers and offer instructions/help. Airplane ear is also called ear barotrauma, barotitis media or aerotitis media. It is very surprising that despite being a very common condition, no prior preventive instruction is given by the air hostesses/airplane authority about this phenomenon. Rare complications may include permanent hearing loss and chronic tinnitus. Generally, airplane ear does not pose problems unless there is any structural damage in the middle ear. At the same time, individuals may also experience decreased hearing abilities and muffled sounds as the eardrum as it becomes unable to vibrate normally –. In such a scenario, the unusual stretching of the eardrum or tympanic membrane may precipitate pain in the ear. During sudden ascend or descend of an aeroplane, ear cavity pressure is often decreased complemented by an increase in the cabin compared to the outside air pressure. The eustachian tube becomes flattened during the pressure changes and it necessitates bringing air into the middle ear ( Figure 2). Ĭonversely, due to the vacuum effect, if the air pressure inside the middle ear space reduces rapidly compared to the external ear pressure, the tympanic membrane may be pulled inside due to the pressure gradient. This phenomenon can be compared with a bread expanding while baking. This may result in outward bulging of the tympanic membrane causing moderate to severe earache. However, the eustachian tube dysfunction may occur with any changes in pressure and failure to ventilate through the middle ear space. This equalization of air pressure is maintained physiologically and contributes to regular auditory function and maintenance of normal balance among individuals. If outside pressure is decreasing, as in a plane ascending, the person should try breathing with the mouth open, yawning. In normal physiological conditions, the air pressure in our middle ear cavity is nearly equivalent to that of the external ear canal. 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. Generally, airplane ear occurs due to quick changes in altitude and quick changes in air pressure.
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