All these health hazards and associated challenges can be easily prevented if airplane authorities include following preventive instructions for airplane air with existing life-saving instructions. Sometimes, they may have to manage emergencies like ear bleeding by apply ear packs. 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. 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. The main symptoms are severe otic pain and partial hearing loss, mainly during the descent, and there are many predisposing factors for this medical. If the eustachian tube is blocked, the air pressure in the middle ear is different than the pressure on the outside of the eardrum. This helps equalize pressure on either side of the ear drum. In normal physiological conditions, the air pressure in our middle ear cavity is nearly equivalent to that of the external ear canal. Swallowing or yawning opens the eustachian tube and allows air to flow into or out of the middle ear. Generally, airplane ear occurs due to quick changes in altitude and quick changes in air pressure.
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