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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Ear Pain After Jumping?

Today I jumped off a 20 or so foot cliff and landed feet first in the water, but then as soon as I emerged I noticed severe ear pain. I can still hear out of my ear but the pressure is beginning to get unbearable. I ve tried jumping up and down and other remedies but don t know what to do next thank you
posted on Thu, 4 Sep 2014
Twitter Fri, 12 Sep 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 15 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi.
This is a classical baro-trauma one gets on diving.
When you enter the water from such a great height two things can happen
1. The jet of water enters through the external auditory opening and put a pressure on the tympanic membrane ( ear Drum). It can cause an inflammation of the ear drum or even rupture it causing a perforation.
1. The pressure inside of the middle ear increases due to gushing of the air through the Eustachian tube, causing the pressure inside the middle ear to rise and may even cause traumatic perforation of the ear drum and giving you the feeling of pain and pressure.

I would advise you not to do anything and increase the trauma.
Rush to the nearest ENT Surgeon to get Endoscopy of the ear done to decide the cause and t get an appropriate treatment.
Such injuries usually heal well.
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What Causes Ear Pain After Jumping?

Hi. This is a classical baro-trauma one gets on diving. When you enter the water from such a great height two things can happen 1. The jet of water enters through the external auditory opening and put a pressure on the tympanic membrane ( ear Drum). It can cause an inflammation of the ear drum or even rupture it causing a perforation. 1. The pressure inside of the middle ear increases due to gushing of the air through the Eustachian tube, causing the pressure inside the middle ear to rise and may even cause traumatic perforation of the ear drum and giving you the feeling of pain and pressure. I would advise you not to do anything and increase the trauma. Rush to the nearest ENT Surgeon to get Endoscopy of the ear done to decide the cause and t get an appropriate treatment. Such injuries usually heal well.