Aircrew Ear Clearing Techniques: Their Effect on Future Oxygen Mask Design
Mike Luby
A variety of techniques are reported to be effective in equalising pressure across the tympanic membrane during exposure to changing barometric pressure. Anecdotal evidence from aircrew suggest the use of techniques include swallowing, yawning, stretching or turning the neck, squeezing the nose and blowing (with mask applied to the face), dropping the mask and then squeezing nose and blowing, and blocking expiratory part of mask with palm of hand while blowing out. However, there is no definitive evidence on either the frequency or procedures used by fast jet aircrew in-flight to clear their ears. RAFCAM conducted a survey of fast jet aircrew attending refresher training at RAFCAM. This study examined how often aircrew needed assistance clearing their ears and what methods were used. The study also asked, in the aircrew?s opinion, how would their flight be affected if they could not occlude their nose in an attempt to clear their ears. The data suggest that aircrew frequently need assistance clearing their ears. Squeezing the nose is a technique used to equalise pressure across the tympanic membrane and therefore oxygen system design should provide a capability for aircrew to occlude their nose.
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