Does your ear suddenly become blocked? (Ear Barotrauma) or let's learn about Airplane Ear!

Have you ever been on a plane or in a vehicle that is climbing up a hill like Nuwara Eliya and suddenly felt like your ears were blocked and heavy? Sometimes you feel a slight pain in your ear and you also feel a decrease in hearing, right? Many people have this experience, and sometimes even small babies start crying at this time. Today we are going to talk about what causes this, is it serious, and how to avoid it.

What is Ear Barotrauma?

Simply put, Ear Barotrauma is damage to the inner ear, especially the middle ear , due to pressure. This happens when the air pressure in your environment, or the water pressure if you are underwater, changes suddenly and very quickly. Imagine a big difference, an imbalance, between the pressure inside your ear and the pressure outside your environment.

Many people also call this condition ``Airplane Ear.'' The reason is that people most often experience this when traveling in airplanes. When an airplane takes off and lands again, the air pressure changes very quickly. That's when this happens.

However, this is not limited to airplanes. Imagine that you are going up and down in a high-rise building in a fast-moving elevator , and this can also happen. Or even when you dive to the bottom of a swimming pool , or even when you are scuba diving, this `(Ear Barotrauma)` condition can occur. Because in all those cases, the pressure changes rapidly.

This `(Ear Barotrauma)` is one of the most common types of damage to various parts of the body due to pressure changes (which is what is commonly called `(Barotrauma)`). But there is nothing to worry about, most of the time this is temporary . If you are a little careful, or if the air or water pressure changes stop, it will get better on its own in a short time.

What are the symptoms of this? (`Airplane Ear Symptoms`)

Usually, the symptoms of ``Airplane Ear'' are not that severe, just a little discomfort. However, sometimes these symptoms can be a little more severe. See if you have experienced any of these things:

• A feeling of stuffiness or heaviness in the ear. A strange sensation as if something is stuck inside the ear or it is filled with water.
• A feeling of hearing loss . When someone speaks, the sound is not heard clearly, as if there is cotton in the ear.
• Some people may experience vertigo , which means their head is spinning and things around them are spinning.
• Sometimes, severe ear pain can occur. This is the main discomfort for many people.
• Very rarely, you may feel something like fluid draining from your ear. This could be a sign of a ruptured eardrum . If this happens, you should definitely see a doctor immediately.

Why is this happening to us? What are the reasons?

Okay, now let's see why this `(Ear Barotrauma)` occurs. This happens, as I mentioned before, when there is a sudden change in air pressure or water pressure. What happens is that there is a huge imbalance between the pressure inside your middle ear and the pressure outside your environment.

Inside your ear, to be precise, there are two small tubes that run from your middle ear to the back of your throat. This is what we medically call the ``Eustachian tubes`` . The main function of these Eustachian tubes is to keep the air pressure on both sides of your eardrum, that is, inside the middle ear, and the outside environment, equal . Do you know how it does that? By introducing a little air from outside into the middle ear, the pressure on both sides becomes equal.

Imagine, when an airplane takes off or lands, the air pressure changes very quickly. The air pressure is determined by the altitude you are at. So, to adapt to this rapid change, the Eustachian tubes cannot respond quickly enough. That is, they cannot send air into the ear as quickly as necessary to equalize the pressure. That's when the ear starts to feel that strange, painful, and stuffy feeling.

This is what happens when you dive into deep water. The water pressure increases very quickly as you go underwater. Even then, those `(Eustachian tubes)` cannot adjust to that change.

Another important thing is that if you have a cold or an allergy , you are more likely to develop this `(Ear Barotrauma)`. Do you know why? Because things like a cold can make your nose and the back of your throat so stuffy and full of mucus. Then those `(Eustachian tubes)` can also become swollen and blocked. When that happens, it becomes even harder for them to control the pressure. Do you understand? That's why doctors say to postpone air travel for a while if you have a bad cold.

Can this cause complications?

Most of the time, `(Ear Barotrauma)` is not a major problem. However, very rarely, that is, very rarely, some complications can occur. The main one is a ruptured eardrum . This usually heals on its own within a few weeks.

However, you should see a doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

• If you feel like you are losing your hearing completely (hearing loss).
• If you hear a constant ringing sound in your ears (like a ringing sound) , we call it ``tinnitus''.
• If there is fluid or pus coming out of the ear.
• If you feel dizzy and nauseous , it's called vertigo.

If you have these things, it can be a serious condition, so it's important to seek treatment quickly.

How does a doctor recognize this?

When you go to a doctor, the first thing he or she will ask you is:

• What are your symptoms ?
• How long have these symptoms been present ?
• They ask things like if you've been on a flight or scuba diving recently.

Then, the doctor will examine your ear. He or she will use a special instrument called an ``otoscope.'' This has a small light and a lens that can be used to look inside your ear to see if your eardrum is damaged or if you have an ear infection.

Sometimes, if your doctor thinks you have a hearing problem, he or she may refer you to an audiologist (hearing specialist) for a hearing test .

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment may vary depending on your condition.

• If you have a stuffy nose or a cold, your doctor may give you decongestants . These help to reduce the blockage in the Eustachian tubes and equalize pressure.
• Sometimes, if there is swelling inside the ear, medications such as corticosteroids can be given to reduce it.
• Very rarely, if your eardrum is ruptured and does not heal on its own, you may need to have a minor surgery called a tympanoplasty to close the hole. But this is very rare.

In most cases, no special treatment is needed, and as I said before, this can be controlled with simple methods.

How do you survive this `(Ear Barotrauma)`?

It's best to avoid this, especially if you're a frequent flyer or a diver.

On flights:

• Use a decongestant before your flight: If you have a mild case of a runny nose or stuffy nose, ask your doctor about taking a decongestant (either a nasal spray or a pill) a few hours before your flight. This will help to reduce the congestion in your nose and throat and make it easier for your Eustachian tubes to function.
• Swallow and yawn frequently during takeoff and landing: This will open your Eustachian tubes, which will help equalize the pressure.
• If you are traveling with babies and young children: Give them a bottle of milk, water, or a pacifier to suck on while boarding and disembarking the plane. This will help them swallow more often, which will reduce ear discomfort.
• Chew a piece of gum: Chewing a piece of gum, especially when the plane is taking off and starting to descend, can increase the swallowing process and help equalize pressure.
• Blow your nose gently: Blowing your nose gently with a tissue can sometimes help relieve pressure.
• Do the `(Valsalva maneuver)`: This is a simple one. Close your mouth, pinch your nose with your hand, and try to blow air out of your nose slowly. It's like blowing your nose when you have a stuffy nose, but with both your mouth and nose closed. This helps to open the `(Eustachian tubes)` by allowing air to flow in. But don't do it forcefully , do it slowly.
• Use special earplugs: Pharmacies sell special earplugs made specifically for flights. These allow the pressure inside the ear to change slowly.

For scuba divers:

If you are a diver, you should be well-informed about diving safety procedures and follow them exactly. In particular, get good training on how to deal with changes in water pressure and how to `equalize` the pressure.

What should we expect if this situation arises?

In most cases, symptoms will subside once your Eustachian tubes are able to regulate the air pressure or water pressure. This means that you will feel much better within a short time after getting off the plane or surfacing after diving.

Sometimes, if you have something like a stuffy nose, it can take a few days for your ears to get back to normal after taking medication for it. Very rarely, if the eardrum bursts like you said, you may need surgery. But that's very rare.

How do you take care of this yourself?

Thinking about this in advance can go a long way in preventing `(Ear Barotrauma)`. For example, if you are going on a flight, think about the preventive measures I mentioned in advance and prepare for them. If you have a cold, see a doctor before you travel and get advice.

If you are a diver, know the safety procedures and do them properly. Never panic (pospishatyi), that is, do not rush. You should dive and ascend slowly, acclimatizing to the pressure.

When do you need to see a doctor?

Ear barotrauma is usually temporary. However, if your ears still feel blocked, heavy , or painful even hours after your flight or dive, it's a good idea to see a doctor.

When do you need to go to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

It is very rare for an eardrum to burst due to `(Ear Barotrauma)`. However, if you notice something like fluid coming out of your ear , go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately. It is not a good idea to delay it.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

If you have ``Ear Barotrauma'' or ``Airplane Ear'', you may want to learn more about this. You can ask your doctor questions like:

• What exactly is `(Ear Barotrauma)`?
• Is this a serious situation?
• Could this damage my hearing?
• What are the treatments for this?
• What should I do to prevent this from happening next time?

Remember, `(Ear Barotrauma)` is a condition caused by changes in pressure. Most of the time, it will resolve on its own. However, if symptoms persist or become severe, it is important to seek medical advice.

Finally, remember (Take-Home Message)

So, `(Ear Barotrauma)` or `(Airplane Ear)` is a condition that many of us experience, but it is usually not that serious. The main cause of this is sudden changes in air pressure or water pressure. This can happen during flights, rapid lifts, and diving.

The important thing is that there are simple ways to prevent this. During a flight, do things like swallow frequently, open your mouth, and chew gum. It's good to give small babies something to drink. Be a little more careful if you have a cold.

Symptoms usually go away after a while. However, if you have persistent ear pain, ear congestion, or severe symptoms like fluid coming out of your ear , you should definitely see a doctor . Don't panic, it's important to be aware of this.

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