• Pain

  Air travel and scuba diving should be avoided or delayed if possible because they can cause painful changes in pressure in the ear. [merckmanuals.com]

• Swelling

  Eustachian tube blockage can happen when colds or allergies cause the lining of the eustachian tube and adenoids to swell. Adenoids are clumps of tissue that help fight infection and are right near the opening of the eustachian tube. [merckmanuals.com]

• Inflammation

  The effusion may be sterile or (more commonly) contain pathogenic bacteria sometimes as a biofilm, although inflammation is not observed. [merckmanuals.com]

• Yawning

  If outside pressure is decreasing, as in a plane ascending, the person should try breathing with the mouth open, yawning, chewing gum, or swallowing. [merckmanuals.com]

• Rhinitis

  Antibiotics should be given for bacterial rhinitis, sinusitis, and nasopharyngitis. Demonstrated allergens should be eliminated from the patient’s environment and immunotherapy should be considered. [merckmanuals.com]

• Otalgia

  Otalgia is rare. Various possible changes to the tympanic membrane (TM) include an amber or gray color, displacement of the light reflex, mild to severe retraction, and accentuated landmarks. On air insufflation, the TM may be immobile. [merckmanuals.com]

Doctors may recommend people undergo treatment that stimulates the body's immune system against allergens (immunotherapy). [merckmanuals.com]

Tympanostomy tubes can help prevent recurrences of acute otitis media and secretory otitis media. Occasionally, the middle ear is temporarily ventilated with the Valsalva maneuver or politzerization. [merckmanuals.com]