Have you ever been on a plane, taking off or landing, and felt like your ears suddenly blocked or filled up? Or maybe you just felt a little pain in your ear and felt strange discomfort? Many people have had this experience. This is what we simply call "Airplane Ear." But it's not limited to airplanes. It can also happen when you're in a fast elevator, climbing mountains, or diving. Medically, we call this condition Ear Barotrauma. So today, let's talk about it in simple terms.
Simply put, what is ear barotrauma?
Ear barotrauma is damage to our ears when there is a difference between the pressure inside our ears and the air pressure we feel outside. Think about it, there is a middle part of our ears. There is a very small tube that connects this middle ear to the back of our throat. This is called the Eustachian tube . Its main function is to keep the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum at the same level.
Imagine, when we go up in a plane, the air pressure around us decreases rapidly. But the pressure inside the ear doesn't decrease at the same rate. Then there is a pressure imbalance on both sides of the eardrum. It's like an inflated balloon. The air pressure inside is higher, and the outside is lower. That's when the Eustachian tube opens, letting some of the excess air inside the ear out and equalizing the pressure. When the plane lands, the opposite happens. The outside pressure increases, and the pressure inside the ear decreases. Then this tube opens, taking air from outside and equalizing the pressure.
But sometimes the speed at which this pressure change occurs is too fast. Then that little Eustachian tube cannot adapt to that speed. That's when we feel pressure, pain, and a feeling of being blocked in our ears. This is what we call ear barotrauma.
What are the symptoms of this condition?
Most of the time, these symptoms are not that serious, but sometimes they can be a bit more severe. Let's take a look at the main symptoms.
| Symptom | How it feels |
|---|---|
| Earache/blockage | The most common symptom is a feeling of stuffiness or a feeling of blockage in the ear. |
| Hearing impairment | Feeling like you can't hear the sounds around you properly, feeling dizzy. |
| Ear pain | A sharp pain inside the ear due to pressure. Sometimes this can be severe. |
| Dizziness | If the balance in the ear is affected, you may feel dizzy. |
| Fluid draining from the ear | This is very rare, but if it happens, it could be a sign of a ruptured eardrum. |
Why is this happening? What are the main reasons?
As we discussed earlier, the main cause is the imbalance between the external air pressure and the pressure in the middle ear. This is mainly due to the dysfunction of the Eustachian tube.
Imagine you have a cold . Or your nose is blocked and full of mucus due to an allergic condition . At times like these, the Eustachian tube can also become swollen and blocked with mucus. Then that tube can't open or close properly. So if you fly at a time like this, the pressure inside your ear can't equalize as the pressure changes. Then the risk of ear barotrauma is very high.
Can this be serious? What are the complications?
Most of the time, this is not a serious condition. It usually goes away on its own within a few days or a day or two after the flight. However, very rarely, if the pressure difference is severe, it can cause a ruptured eardrum . This usually resolves on its own within a few weeks. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately :
| When to seek immediate medical advice | |
|---|---|
| Hearing loss | If your hearing suddenly decreases a lot. |
| Hearing a ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) | If you keep hearing a "ringing" sound inside your ear for no reason. |
| Fluid or bleeding from the ear | If there is a little watery, phlegmy, or bloody discharge coming from the ear. |
| Severe dizziness (Vertigo) | A severe, nauseating vertigo that feels like the world is spinning around you. |
How does a doctor find this?
When you go to see a doctor with these symptoms, he will first ask you a few questions.
- How did you start having these symptoms?
- Have you been on a flight recently? Or have you been diving?
- How long has this discomfort been going on?
Then, the doctor will use a small instrument called an otoscope to look inside your ear. This can help check for damage to the eardrum or an infection inside the ear. If there is a hearing problem, you may be referred to an audiologist for a hearing test.
What are the treatments for this?
Most of the time, this doesn't require any special treatment. However, if symptoms are severe or don't improve quickly, your doctor may prescribe treatments such as:
- Nasal decongestants: If your nose is stuffy and has mucus, these can help to reduce it and open the Eustachian tube.
- Corticosteroids: These help reduce swelling in the Eustachian tube.
- Surgery: If a hole in the eardrum does not heal on its own, a minor surgery called a tympanoplasty can be performed to close the hole. However, this is rarely necessary.
How can I prevent this before a flight?
This is the most important part. It's much easier to prevent illness than to treat it. If you're going on a flight, definitely try these things.
| Method | What to do |
|---|---|
| Swallowing and swallowing | Keep swallowing and clearing your throat as the plane takes off and lands. These actions open the Eustachian tube. Chewing gum is also a good way to do this. |
| For little children | If you are traveling with a small baby, give your baby a bottle of milk, water, or a pacifier while boarding and disembarking the plane. The swallowing process helps relieve pressure in the ears. |
| Valsalva Maneuver | This is very simple. Close your mouth tightly, pinch your nose with your fingers, and try to blow air through your nose. You will hear a "pop" sound coming from your ears and your ears will open. You need to do this slowly. |
| Cold medicine | If you have a cold or allergies, use a decongestant nasal spray about an hour before your flight. Ask your doctor for advice on this. |
| Earplugs | There are special earplugs (filtered earplugs) designed specifically for air travel that regulate pressure. Using these can also help reduce discomfort by slowing down the pressure change. |
When do you need to see a doctor?
This condition is usually temporary. However,
- If your earache and dizziness don't go away even after a day or two after your flight,
- If the ear pain persists,
Definitely see your doctor .
Emergency: If there is fluid or blood coming out of the ear, it could be a sign of a ruptured eardrum. In such a case, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Ear barotrauma is a condition in which the ear is damaged by changes in air pressure. This is common during air travel and diving.
- Most of the time, this is not serious and will heal on its own.
- This can be largely prevented by avoiding swallowing, chewing gum, and other things during takeoff and landing.
- If you have a cold or an allergic condition, you can reduce your risk by taking appropriate medication under medical advice before flying.
- If symptoms persist for several days, or if you experience symptoms such as ear discharge, severe pain, or severe dizziness, see a doctor immediately.
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