Korean J Aerosp Environ Med.
2010 Jul;19(3):81-86.
Aerotitis Media
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
- 2Aerospace Medicine Research Group, Research Institute of Medicine at Inha University, Incheon, Korea
Abstract
- The ear, containing the vestibulocochear organ, consists of three main parts: external, middle and internal. The tymapanic membrane separates the external ear from the middle ear. The auditory tube joins the middle ear or tympanic cavity to the nasopharynx. Normally auditory tube is closed, but it can open to let a small amount of air through to prevent damage by equalizing pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere. Otitis media means inflammation of the middle ear between tympanic membrane and inner ear. It was classified by acute otitis media (AOM), chronic otitis media (COM), aerotitis media. Aerotitis media had history of exposure to a situation in which changes in barometric pressure occurred, and physical examination disclosing signs which closely resemble the various stages of otitis media. The treatment of aerotitis media is the same as for otitis media. Prevention of aerotitis media has been basically approached by limiting the speed of descent of aircraft or by controlling the pressurization in aircraft to the point that the pressures between the middle ear and the environment can equalize without blockage. Swallowing is standard measure suggested; if this fails, the Valsalva maneuver is suggested.
