Ear clearing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ear clearing or clearing the ears is any of various maneuvers to equalize the pressure in the middle ear with the outside pressure,[1][2][3][4] by letting air enter along the Eustachian tubes, as this does not always happen automatically when the pressure in the middle ear is lower than the outside pressure. This need can arise in scuba diving, fast descent in an aircraft, fast descent in a mine cage, and being put into pressure in a caisson or similar pressure-bearing structure.

[edit] Ear clearing methods

The ears can be cleared by:

  • Yawning[2]
  • Swallowing[2]
  • The valsalva manoeuvre: pinching the nose and closing the mouth and trying to breathe out through the nose.[2][5][6][7] If the hand cannot reach the nose, it is possible to learn to pinch the nose shut by the action of two small face muscles called compressor naris. This is the first technique normally taught.
  • The "Frenzel maneuver": using the rear part of the tongue and throat muscles[2][5]
  • The "Toynbee maneuver": pinching the nose and making a swallowing motion[2]
  • If scuba diving, exhaling through the nose and mask during descent

This pressure difference, if not released, can result in a burst eardrum.[8] This damages hearing[9], and cold water in the middle ear chills the inner ear, causing vertigo.[10] The pressure difference can also cause damage to other body air spaces, such as the paranasal sinuses.[11] This can also be caused by damaged sinus ducts.

To allow successful equalization, it is important that the diving suit hood does not make an airtight seal over the outside ear hole, and that earplugs are not worn[2]. It is not recommended to dive when a eustachian tube is congested or blocked, e.g. with the common cold, and divers generally get proper diver training in clearing the ears.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Brubakk, A. O.; T. S. Neuman (2003). Bennett and Elliott's physiology and medicine of diving, 5th Rev ed.. United States: Saunders Ltd., 800. ISBN 0702025712. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Kay, E. Prevention of middle ear barotrauma (html). Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
  3. ^ Kay, E. The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure (Flash video). Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
  4. ^ Vincoli, Jeffrey W. (1999). Lewis' Dictionary of Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health. CRC Press, p. 325. ISBN 1566703999. 
  5. ^ a b Roydhouse, N (1978). "The squeeze, the ear and prevention.". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal 8 (1). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801. 
  6. ^ Taylor, D (1996). "The Valsalva Manoeuvre: A critical review". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal 26 (1). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801. 
  7. ^ Roydhouse, N and Taylor, D (1996). "The Valsalva Manoeuvre. (letter to editor)". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal 26 (3). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801. 
  8. ^ Roydhouse, N (1998). "The squeeze, the ear and prevention.". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal 28 (2). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801. 
  9. ^ Butler FK, Thalmann ED (June 1983). "Report of an isolated mid-frequency hearing loss following inner ear barotrauma". Undersea Biomed Res 10 (2): 131–4. PMID 6612898. 
  10. ^ Edmonds C, Blackwood FA (December 1975). "Disorientation with middle ear barotrauma of descent". Undersea Biomed Res 2 (4): 311–4. PMID 1226589. 
  11. ^ Fagan P, McKenzie BJ, and Edmonds C (1975). "Sinus Barotrauma In Divers.". Royal Australian Navy, School of Underwater Medicine Technical Report Project 1-75. 

[edit] See also