If pain persists after the activity, or if hearing loss is evident, medical intervention is required.
Treatment for ear barotrauma, commonly known as "airplane ear," focuses on equalizing pressure between the middle ear and the external environment while managing symptoms like pain and inflammation. Most mild cases resolve spontaneously within a few hours to days as the eustachian tube recovers its function. Immediate Self-Care and Pressure Equalization ear barotrauma treatment
For chronic barotrauma, small ventilation tubes may be surgically placed in the eardrum to ensure continuous pressure equalization. If pain persists after the activity, or if
For mild symptoms or immediately after a pressure change: If pain persists after the activity
When blood or fluid is present behind an intact TM:
An alternative to Valsalva, this involves swallowing while pinching the nose. This action pulls open the Eustachian tubes via negative pressure, which may be less painful than the positive pressure of the Valsalva maneuver.