![]() ![]() When an aircraft ascends atmospheric pressure decreases, resulting in a relative increase in the middle ear air pressure. Individuals with a eustachian tube problem may have trouble equalizing middle ear pressure when flying. Eustachian Tube Problems Related to Flying Abnormal patency of the Eustachian tube is annoying but does not produce hearing impairment. Fullness and a clocked feeling are not uncommon. Because the tube is constantly open the patient may hear himself breathe and hears their voice reverberate. This condition is less common than serous otitis media and occurs primarily in adults. This is called abnormal patency of the eustachian tube, or patulous eustachian tube. On occasions just the opposite from blockage occurs: the tube remains open for prolonged periods. It is often temporary and often can be avoided by taking precautions (see following section). This is due to failure of the eustachian tube to properly equalize the middle ear air pressure and the condition is called aerotitis. Occasionally pain or middle ear fluid develops when landing in an aircraft. This occurs frequently in children in connection with an upper respiratory infection and accounts for the hearing impairment associated with this condition. ![]() If the obstruction is prolonged, fluid may be drawn from the mucous membranes of the middle ear creating a condition we call serous otitis media (fluid in the middle ear). In adults this is usually accompanied by some ear discomfort, a fullness or pressure feeling and may result in a mild hearing impairment and ringing in the ear (tinnitus). Obstruction or blockage of the eustachian tube results in a negative middle ear pressure, which will cause the ear drum to retract (suck in). Anything that interferes with this periodic opening and closing of the eustachian tube may result in hearing impairment or other ear symptoms. In so doing it allows air into the middle ear to replace air that has been absorbed by the middle ear lining (mucous membranes) or to equalize pressure changes occurring due to altitude changes. When functioning properly the eustachian tube opens for a fraction of a second periodically (about once every three minutes) in response to swallowing or yawning. The eustachian tube functions as a pressure equalizing valve for the middle ear which is normally filled with air. The eustachian tube is a narrow one and a half inch long channel connecting the middle ear with the nasopharynx, the upper throat area just above the palate, in the back of the nose. When the problem effects both systems it creates a mixed hearing loss. ![]() If there is a problem in the inner ear, a sensorineural hearing loss results. The inner ear creates the electrical signal and transmits it through the nerve. If there is a problem with external or middle ear it was cause a conductive hearing loss. Since the external and middle ear conduct sound. When those hair cells are displaced they generate an electrical signal that is transmitted by the hearing nerve to the brain where it processed. This fluid wave generated by the ossicles causes movement of tiny hair cells within the cochlea. The inner ear is contained within the densest bone in the body. The stapes interfaces with the fluid that fills the inner ear (or cochlea), and its movement causes a fluid wave to pass through the inner ear. Vibration of the ear drum causes movement of the hearing bones. These bones are known as ossicles and are the smallest bones in the body. The middle ear contains three hearing bones: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). The eustachian tube serves as a pressure regulating valve for the middle ear. ![]() This chamber is connected to the back of the nose by the eustachian tube. The middle ear lies between the ear drum and the inner ear. These structures gather sound and direct it towards the ear drum (tympanic membrane), which separates the external ear from the middle ear. The external ear consists of an auricle and ear canal. Each part performs and important function in the process of hearing. There are three parts to the ear: the external ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Eustachian Tube Problems Mechanism of Hearing ![]()
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