Barotrauma otic12/29/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() Because aircraft tend to descent quite rapidly to make the best use of fuel, the change in cabin pressure once the aircraft has descended below 7,000 feet can be quite rapid, not allowing time for the middle ear pressure to equalise. However, during descent if the Eustachian tube does not open fully the middle ear remains at a relatively low pressure relative to the pressure in the cabin which increases above the ambient pressure once the aeroplane has descended below (7,000-8,000 feet. Generally during take-off and the main part of the flight the pressure in the middle ear has an opportunity to equalise relative to the cabin pressure gradually. ![]() In pressurised aircraft, for example passenger aircraft, which cruise at altitudes typically from 30,000-35,000 feet, the cabin is pressurised to an equivalent of an altitude of 7,000-8,000 feet. When the Eustachian tube A is blocked, for example through congestion due to a head cold, the pressure in the middle ear can differ to that in the outer ear. When the ear is working normally, the Eustachian tube A which connects the middle ear B to the back of the nose (not shown), equalises the pressure between the middle ear B and the outer ear C. Fig.l shows a schematic sectional view of the auditory system. The ear pain primarily results from a pressure difference between the outer and middle ear. Many passengers feel discomfort or pain in their ears when flying, particularly during the descent of the aircraft.
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