Air travellers' awareness of the preventability of otic barotrauma

Abstract

Air travellers are often not aware of prevention measures to avoid otic barotrauma, and the majority suffer as a result. Increasing public awareness of simple prevention measures would have a significant impact on air travellers.

Captain Haddock's health issues in the adventures of Tintin. Comparison with Tintin's health issues

“…However two travel-related HIs can be considered and one discussed. Haddock presents with baro-otalgia which points to ear pressure problems during an abrupt aircraft descent: something well-known among air travellers [17]. He also suffers from exotic animal exposures, insect stings, and animal bites: hardly surprising given that bites and stings are common in travellers [18].…”

The ineffectiveness of applying moisture to the ear on the incidence and severity of otic barotrauma for air passengers

“…Many children, however, and some adults, are unable to use these methods. Various methods have been investigated to prevent otic barotrauma in these individuals; for example, nasal balloon inflation, the use of decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, or pressure-equalising ear plugs 3 , 8 . Nasal balloon inflation can be effective at relieving middle-ear pressure, 9 but its use is ungainly and not suitable for young infants.…”

Glue ear in adults, paediatric sleep apnoea and the nose in exercise

“…4 Mitchell-Innes and colleagues have recently addressed the topic of otic barotrauma. 5 Nasal physiology has featured strongly in The Journal of Laryngology & Otology in the past, and Walker and colleagues' review of nasal function in exercise adds to this legacy admirably. 6 The main points are not controversial in that area, but the recent paper by Ozturk et al dispels the myth that dorsal nasal skin cooling has a physiological basis in the management of epistaxis, as nasal volume (determined by acoustic rhinometry) did not change after cold compresses were placed over the nasal dorsum.…”

“…The more controversial subject of direct treatment of the eustachian tube with balloon dilatation is reviewed by Jufas and Patel, and appropriate caveats are applied in this tricky subject 4 . Mitchell-Innes and colleagues have recently addressed the topic of otic barotrauma 5 …”