{"id":987474982,"date":"2024-09-12T14:06:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T14:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.asiascubainstructors.com\/lessons\/physics-2-responses-to-diving-copy\/"},"modified":"2025-01-15T10:32:59","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T10:32:59","slug":"physics-4-the-ear","status":"publish","type":"lessons","link":"https:\/\/courses.asiascubainstructors.com\/de\/lessons\/physics-4-the-ear\/","title":{"rendered":"Restricted content"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”8d3b11e3-5319-462a-b7ef-2a8ffc9ae605″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” bottom_divider_height=”49px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#4E70C9″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”3%|3%|3%|3%|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”8b1f8231-1210-4c64-bae4-d177be5c655c” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_4_text_color=”#FFFFFF” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Physiology<\/h1>\n

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4. The ear<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”10%||||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/courses.asiascubainstructors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PADI-IDC-theory-ear1.jpg” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”500ms” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]   [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10%|||” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”270bbe4d-d73b-4336-a484-4ade375d122e” custom_padding=”||5%|” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

The Ear<\/h3>\n

The ear is divided into the outer, middle and inner ear.<\/p>\n

The outer ear<\/strong><\/em> consists of the external ear and ear canal, it is open to air\/water pressure and channels sound to the eardrum.
The middle ear<\/strong><\/em> is separated from the outer ear by the ear drum<\/strong><\/em> and is sealed against air\/water. The ear drum vibrates and passes sound to the ossicles<\/em><\/strong>, small bones that conduct sound to the inner ear. The middle ear is filled with air and is affected the most by pressure.
The inner ear<\/strong><\/em> consists of the vestibular canals<\/strong><\/em> that control balance and the cochlea<\/strong><\/em> which turns vibrations into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain.<\/p>\n

The ossicles<\/strong><\/em> connect to the cochlea<\/strong><\/em> at the oval window<\/strong><\/em> which flexes in and out with the vibrations. The round window<\/strong><\/em> on the cochlea flexes out when the oval window flexes in, like a water filled balloon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The middle ear<\/em><\/strong> is connected to the throat by the Eustachian tube<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/courses.asiascubainstructors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PADI-IDC-theory-sinus.jpg” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”500ms” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]   [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”270bbe4d-d73b-4336-a484-4ade375d122e” custom_padding=”||5%|” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] <\/p>\n

Pressure related injuries (barotrauma<\/strong><\/em>) can occur during the ascent or descent. Knowing the structure and function of ears and sinuses will help you understand how they respond to changing pressure.<\/p>\n

Pressure related problems on the ascend are called a reverse block<\/strong><\/em>. During ascent, expanding air normally exits easily but if a blockage prevents air from exiting, a reverse block can occur in ears, sinuses ot theeth.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]   [\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|5%||5%” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”270bbe4d-d73b-4336-a484-4ade375d122e” custom_margin=”5%||” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Sinuses<\/h3>\n

Sinuses<\/em><\/strong> are divided into four chambers and are connected to the nose.
A<\/strong> sinus squeeze<\/strong><\/em> causes pressure or pain between the eyes, over the teeth or in the cheekbones. Blood and fluid fill the sinus to restore pressure balance.
During ascent, accumulated fluids and blood often flow into the diver\u2019s mask
A sinus squeeze usually heals on its own, unless accompanied by extended pain or fever, suggesting a sinus infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ear trauma<\/h3>\n

During descent, water fills outer ear, putting pressure on eardrum.
The pressure can be equalized by pushing air through eustachian tubes into the middle ear.
Most divers blow against their pinched nose \u2013 known as the valsalva maneuver<\/strong><\/em>. Failure to equalize can cause a squeeze<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

A middle ear squeeze<\/strong><\/em> results in blood and fluid filling the middle ear.
The ears feel full and hearing is reduced.
This injury needs proper treatment to heal because failure to receive medical care can mean permanent hearing loss.<\/p>\n

An eardrum rupture<\/strong><\/em> can occur when a diver descends rapidly without equalizing. The eardrum flexes inward until it ruptures and water enters the middle ear. The diver will feel a sharp pain, followed by relieve. Cold water entering the middle ear can cause vertigo.
A ruptured eardrum requires medical attention to prevent infection and permanent damage.<\/p>\n

Another ear barotrauma is round window rupture<\/strong><\/em>.
If a diver delays equalization, the round window bulges outward in response to unequal pressure. If at the same time, the diver attempts a long, forceful valsalva maneuver, the increased internal pressure can rupture the round window.
A round window rupture needs medical treatment and is a serious injury that can lead to permanent hearing reduction or deafness.<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n