Ear Damage Due to Diving

Abstract

Diving injury may affect all parts of the ear during all types of diving. Divers are regularly exposed to noise and 120 dB(A) is measured during ventilation of a hyperbaric chamber. Ear canal squeeze, possibly with drum perforation, may give a transient conductive hearing loss. Middle ear squeeze, possibly with drum perforation, also gives a transient conductive loss. Inner ear barotrauma, possibly with perilymph fistula, most often results in transient vertigo and lasting sensorineural high tone loss, often resembling a noise-induced loss. Decompression sickness and gas embolism can also damage the inner ear. A change of breathing gas during deep diving has damaged the labyrinth, most likely due to counter diffusion. The authors have seen two cases of oval window perilymph fistula resulting from diving. One of them also suffered a burst ear drum on the same side. His hearing returned to normal after surgical repair.