Allen M. Dekelboum, MDPressure: Vol 27 # 3, May/June 1998 One of the most frustrating conditions which appear to otolaryngologists all over the world is the sudden onset of unexplainable sensori-neural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Approximately 4000 cases are reported each year in the United States, with about 15,000worldwide. Most have no identifiable cause. The natural...

This most often involves the frontal or maxillary sinuses and the pressure differential usually causes the lining of the sinuses to become swollen and bleeding can ensue.Nosebleed is a common event with diving and can be caused by negative pressure within the mask or from pressure change after ascent. Dull aching is present and treatment...

Temporary Dysfunction Middle Ear Barotrauma Clinical Presentation This usually starts as a fullness or pressure that gets worse as the diver descends and improves on rising in the water. Pain ensues as the pressure differential rises or unless the diver is able to equalize. Some conductive hearing loss is present and there may be tinnitus...

Ringing in the ears or ‘tinnitus’ (pronounced with the accent on the ‘tin’) is one of the most prevalent and bothersome of symptoms related to diving. Tinnitus may be caused by damage or disease, anywhere along the path of the auditory system.Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present; and is...

Paranasal Sinus Barotrauma This most often involves the frontal or maxillary sinuses and the pressure differential usually causes the lining of the sinuses to become swollen and bleeding can ensue. Paranasal sinuses Nosebleed is a common event with diving and can be caused by negative pressure within the mask or from pressure change after ascent...

Did you ever stop to think how much mucous your nose produces in a day? Did you ever care that anyone actually measured the amount of drainage produced by the average person in a 24 hour period? Well, here is something interesting about our noses; we produce on the average about one quart of mucous...

Inner Ear Barotrauma Straining or a forceful Valsalva can cause rupture of the round or oval window , as first described by Fred Pullen in 1971. This results in a fistula with drainage of fluid into the middle ear, sensineural hearing loss, vertigo, or tinnitus and should be operated upon immediately to correct the fistula...

Queries Dear Doctor, I have been diving for almost 10 years and surfing for about 15. I have always had a problem with water in my ears. It is particularly a problem when I am diving and I invert my head. This causes a sound and I can feel the water go deep into my...

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...

Vertigo or Dizziness? True vertigo or inner ear balance disturbance is often confused with other vague problems with balance such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, swaying or overbreathing. The differentiation is sometimes difficult, even for otologic physicians who specialize in the subject. Some experts feel that vertigo is the most hazardous ear problem to occur during...

ENT Anatomy The Ear The external ear canal is a blind tube ending with the ear drum. The cerumen, or wax, is slightly acid and has a protective function. The ear drum has evolved to vibrate with sound waves in the air which is present on both sides. Herein lies the problem with diving –the...