What is pneumatic otitis media? When there is a sudden change in atmospheric pressure, the opening of the eustachian tube does not open smoothly to regulate the pressure in the tympanic chamber, thus causing damage to the tympanic chamber, similar to aseptic otitis media, which is called pneumatic otitis media. Causes of pneumatic otitis media: Intrinsic factors – When there are pathological changes in the eustachian tube, such as cold, sinusitis, nasopharyngeal tumor, nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, palatopharyngeal muscle paralysis and malocclusion of the maxillary joint, or in sleep and coma, the eustachian tube loses its normal function of regulating air pressure. External factors – sudden and dramatic changes in external air pressure, such as naval diving, air force lift-off and hyperbaric chamber treatment, can easily lead to barotropic tympanic chamber injury without good protective measures. Symptoms of pneumatic otitis media: severe pain in the ear, tinnitus, deafness, and vertigo, nausea, vomiting, etc., usually lasting half a day to two days, the symptoms gradually disappear. The tympanic membrane starts to become engorged and sunken with blood around the hammer bone stalk, with scattered bleeding spots, sometimes with blood planes and bubbles visible through the tympanic membrane, and with linear perforation of the tympanic membrane. How can I avoid pneumatic otitis media? If you have a cold and have symptoms such as nasal congestion, you should not perform hyperbaric oxygen therapy. If you have had ear pain when flying or diving before, you can apply ephedrine and Tensinol nasal drops before boosting pressure to reduce the possibility of barotropic otitis media. The patency of the eustachian tube can be checked in the ENT department to assess whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be tolerated. Repeated swallowing movements or nasal pinching and puffing movements should be performed from the beginning of the pressure boosting process, and it is recommended that the adjustment movements be done in short bursts, one at a time, with a force that is not recommended as appropriate. If symptoms such as ear pain occur, you should promptly reflect them to the medical staff accompanying you in the cabin, and if necessary, you can perform pressure stabilization. If you still have symptoms such as ear pain after leaving the cabin, it is recommended that you consult the ENT department to determine if you can continue hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In case of pneumatic otitis media, hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be suspended and treatment should be sought in the ENT department.