Abstract
ACUTE aero-otitis media is a major cause of disability among pilots and crew members of the armed forces. The increase in the number of cases is self explanatory when one considers the stress and strain to which the auditory organ is subjected in flight. Man is primarily a terrestrial being, and the airplane has imposed demands on the ears for which they were not anatomically or physiologically designed. Rapid ascents and descents demand versatility of the auditory organ because of changes of pressure which confront every pilot. The changes are sudden and frequent, and the positive and negative pressures must be equalized by the eustachian tube. On ascent the adaptation of the eustachian tube is relatively easy, but on descent it is difficult both physiologically and anatomically, owing to the flutter-valve-like action. The present day therapy of acute aero-otitis media is varied, as is evidenced by current literature. Many therapeutic
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
