Inner ear disorders due to pressure change.

We reviewed the records of 136 patients who had inner ear disorders including hearing loss and vertigo caused by pressure change. We divided them into three groups, according to the aetiology: group A, change in atmospheric pressure (diving, airplane travel, etc.); group B, rapid change in ear pressure in normal atmosphere (nose blowing, heavy lifting, etc.); and group C, blast injury. A flat initial audiogram was the most common type in groups A and B. In group C, high-tone hearing loss was the most common type of audiogram. These results correspond to findings previously reported in animal experiments. Exploratory tympanotomy was performed more than 12 days after the pressure change in 16 patients. Although the vertigo disappeared after surgery, hearing did not improve.