So first of all when you are in the ENT department, the first thing that comes in the mind is the anatomy and structure of these places. The ear, nose and throat are impossible to view without a proper light exposure and also making these site one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body.
You have two ears; the outer part that you can touch is called the external ear. The ear is divided into three segments: Inner, Middle and External ear.
The external ear helps facilitate the sound waves and also it has glands called ceruminous glands that secrete the wax, which protects your ear from foreign body and also facilitates the wave transfer.
The middle ear has three bones (Tinny, cute bones: Stapes, Incus and Malleus ) which transmit the sound waves to the inner ear. A membrane separates the external ear from the middle which is called the tympanic membrane.
The inner ear is a mystery. It consists of vestibule and cochlear part which actually converts the sound waves to electrical impulse and transmits that to the part of the brain that receives the sound.
Baro-traumatic Otitis Media is a non infectious inflammatory condition of the middle ear. You have a tube that connects the middle ear with the throat (Nasopharynx) called Eustachian tube. This tube equalizes the pressure between the ear and the atmosphere.
When Do You Experience Baro-Traumatic OM?
When you are descending form a higher to lower pressure when flying, driving towards high altitude, diving and when you are under water pressure tanks. This especially happens when you are on a flight or when you are driving towards Nagarkot !
What are the symptoms?
- Temporary Deafness
- Tingly Noise in Ear
- Headache
- Discomfort and Pain
How to Avoid?
• Avoid Travelling with a upper respiratory tract infection
• Pinch Your nose while your lips are tightly sealed and blow your cheeks like you are playing a trumpet , this maneuver ensure that air enters the middle ear
• Avoid Sleeping during descent and encourage swallowing movement
• Chewing of Lozenges , chocolates, etc during ascent , descent helps
Do you have time to realize that you have two beautiful orifices that transmit sound waves?
You hear the pleasant music, you hear your loved one whisper the three lettered word for you and mostly you hear scolding and advice from seniors. Life is beautiful with sound and music.
Happy Hearing Folks!
