However, the middle ear is usually the most easily affected by barotrauma. Outer, middle and inner ear. Click on the image for a larger and more detailed diagram. One can create an air-containing space by applying a diving mask. Other potential areas of injury include dental cavities that may contain small areas of air within fillings, or the lungs.
Nerves running through air-containing cavities are also subject to barotraumatic injury.
The external ear is an air-containing space that can be affected by changes in ambient pressure. During diving, water normally replaces the air in the external ear canal. An obstruction such as wax, a bony growth, or earplugs can create an air-containing space that can change in volume in response to changes in ambient pressure. This can cause pain, small hemorrhages in the ear drum, or blebs. Treatment consists of clearing the ear canal of the obstruction, and restricting diving or flying until the blockage is corrected and the ear canal and drum return to normal.