Middle ear barotrauma is caused by the inability of the diver to clear the space in the middle ear through the Eustachian tube and has been described by MacFie and placed in TEED types I through IV. This diagnosis is made on the basis of pain on descent aand physical examination shows redness of the tympanic membrane due to hemorrhage and occasionally free blood in the middle ear cavity. MacFie has types I through V, Pullen describes mild, moderate and severe.

TEED Classification of Middle Ear Barotrauma

Type I--congestion of umbra

Type II--entire drum red

Type III--hemorrhage and fluid

TypeIV--hemorrhage and perforation

Nature abhors a vacuum, so negative pressure in the middle ear retracts the ear drum and fills the middle ear with fluid.

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To prevent middle ear squeeze, equalize frequently during descent by auto-inflation. The diver should dive feet first, which reduces venous engorgement of the head, sinuses and eustachian tube. The head down position produces a closure of the sinus ostia or eustachian tube.

During descent, unequal pressure causes an inward bulging of the tympanic membrane, which will continue unless the middle ear pressure is equalized. Fluid pressure within the inner ear equals that of the water surrounding the diver and with continued descent the pressure in the external auditory canal increases. Unless the pressure is equalized, round window rupture or tympanic membrane rupture may occur with as little as 100mg Hg difference between the external auditory canal and the middle ear. This change in pressure can be as little as 4 feet sea water.

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Treatment

Try to achieve eustachian tube patency and function by autoinflation. The conductive hearing loss that is usually found is usually resolved by itself. Treatment with systemic decongestants (Sudafed, 60 mg orally three times a day. Topical nasal decongestants should be tried, (no longer than three days to avoid rhinitis medicamentosa).

Return to diving

Reverse squeeze