Changes in barometric pressure during air travel can result in barotitis media. It is seen most often with children but can occur at any age.
Synonym: aerotitis
Mechanism: failure of pressure in the middle ear to equilibrate with atmospheric pressure properly through the Eustachian tube
Clinical features:
(1) otalgia (ear pain)
(2) reduced hearing
(3) feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears
(4) accumulation of sterile fluid in the middle ear
(5) rarely rupture of the tympanic membrane
Symptoms tend to be more severe during landing than the initial ascent.
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
