Symptoms & Signs
- Dizziness
- Ear discomfort or pain in one or both ears
- Hearing loss (slight)
- Sensation of fullness or stuffiness in the ears
If the condition is severe or prolonged:
- Ear pain
- Feeling of pressure in the ears (as if underwater)
- Moderate to severe hearing loss
- Nosebleed
Diagnosis & Tests
During an inspection of the ear, the doctor may see a slight outward bulge or inward pull of the eardrum. If the condition is severe, there may be blood behind the eardrum.
Severe barotrauma may be difficult to tell apart from an ear infection.
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Ear barotrauma : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Ear barotrauma : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Ear barotrauma : Treatment
Review Date : 5/13/2009
Reviewed By : Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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