Medium
ear problems due to changing
atmospheric pressures, as when a
plane descends to earth. The problems include
ear pain, ringing, diminished
hearing and, sometimes, dizziness. The
word barotitis (pronounced bar-o-tit-is) is compounded from bar- as in
barometer +
otitis importance
inflammation of the ear. Alternate terms include aerotitis,
aerotitis media,
barotitis media, and
otic barotrauma.