can you fly with a retracted eardrum can you fly with a retracted eardrum

Answer (1 of 2): Yeah, in fact you'll have less trouble flying with that than with an intact eardrum. Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children. Flying with a perforated eardrum is generally completely safe. Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Because the entire ear mechanism is so small, fragile, complex and delicate, it actually doesnt take much to disturb the system. But if we are already diagnosed with it, we should always remember not to neglect it and get treatment the earliest possible time. Your browser doesn't support JavaScript code, or you have disabled JavaScript. A tympanoplasty is the surgical repair of a hole in the eardrum, which is known as a perforated eardrum. Watch on. Now if the retracted eardrum is caused by common infections like allergies or sinusitis, there are drug care that can be done. As Dr. Pauls Child Health & Wellness Information Site reports, other commonly reported patient symptoms that can indicate a retracted eardrum include these:(7). I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. Llewellyn A, Norman G, Harden M, et al. You might also miss out on important information like traffic alerts or warnings about dangerous situations. If there is significant conductive hearing loss or there is an unsafe condition, then surgery may be necessary. Thank you for posting to r/medical! Common causes of Eustachian tube dysfunction include: To diagnose a retracted eardrum, your doctor will start by asking about your symptoms and whether youve recently had an ear infection. Your surgeon will provide more specific instructions if make-up, deodorant, nail polish, or other items are prohibited on your surgery day. Additional surgeries or treatments are unlikely after a tympanoplasty. U.S. Patent & Trademark office. With a middle ear infection, fluid and pus fill the middle ear. How long does it take to heal a retracted eardrum? You can reduce your chances of experiencing a ruptured eardrum by taking precautions before going to bed. Dizziness could also be due to neurological causes. The ear itself is made up of three distinct sections: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. This is to help the tube balance and maintain the air pressure alleviate the secretion process of the middle ear. Problems of middle ear and hearing in cleft children. Flying with Eustachian tube dysfunction carries the risk of middle ear damage, and in rarer cases severe inner ear damage. Nasal decongestant sprays. Trauma or injury to the ear can cause a burst eardrum, too. However, more serious retractions lead to ear pain and hearing loss. Sharma RK, et al. During flights, the cabin pressure drops rapidly. However, if it retracts enough to press on the bones or other structures within your ear, it can cause: earache fluid draining from the. Ask your surgeon what to plan for, as some tympanoplasty patients are released the same day once their vital signs are stable (especially children). Cookie Preferences. Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment. If there are any comments under this post that violate Rule 3: Community safety, please report them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Remember, the eardrum protects the middle ear from bacteria. Side by side with the cochlea are fluid-filled ear canals called the labyrinth that are responsible for adjusting fluid levels so you can keep your balance. If your symptoms are not too severe or bothersome, your healthcare provider may wait and see if it goes away without treatment. Copyright 2018 Dr Sean Flanagan and Sydney Ear Nose & Throat Clinic. (2001). Have the appropriate tests performed to get diagnosed. Chewing and swallowing on ascent and descent. Sometimes you may even be discharged and allowed to go home the same day as the surgery. The auditory tube connects the throat to the middle ear and keeps the pressure in the middle ear balanced. There are many reasons why we may hear more clearly on some days than others. Sem categoria. Tympanoplasty/Paper Patch Myringoplasty. Air travel and scuba diving can both cause ear barotrauma. This can take up to several months, so your doctor may just recommend keeping an eye on your symptoms before starting any treatment. Never delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this site! JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. The Healthy Apron is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. For example, if someone says hello to you, you may not be able to tell them apart from background noise. DOI: Pars tensa and pars flaccida retractions in persistent otitis media with effusion. When fluid in the ears does not resolve on its own or causes severe symptoms or delays in a child's development, the surgical placement of temporary ventilation tubes (also called ear tubes) may be necessary. Use pressure-equalising earplugs, chew gum, or yawn to avoid pressure changes. An infection in the upper respiratory system. However, flying with a ruptured eardrum is common, and it does not necessarily mean that you cannot fly. There is also a tube (Eustachian tube) that links the middle ear to an individuals nose and throat to keep the proper pressure about the outside pressure. If you're a smoker, try to quit as far in advance as possible before your surgery. But when are hearing is impacted, at some level our quality of life is also affected. In extreme cases, especially in people who continue to have problems despite the above precautions a perforation in the ear drum can be made often with the insertion of a tube to bypass the faulty Eustachian tube. Other times, it can occur due to a medical condition, such as meningitis or otitis media. Most often than not, Infections are the primary cause for it. However, not all retracted eardrums require treatment. This rule also applies to children over 1 year old. var ffid = 2; The nine signs you may have a perforated eardrum include: The extent of hearing loss you might experience will depend on the holes size in your eardrum. Check with a doctor before flying to get some professional medical advice and assurance. This condition is known as a retracted eardrum. A physical exam will be required during the week or two before your child's tympanoplasty to make sure they're healthy enough for surgery. Here are some common signs of a ruptured ear drums: Pain You may feel pain in one or both ears after suffering a blow to the head. Bring the items that you'll want to have for an overnight stay at the hospital (such as your toothbrush, a change of clothes, slip-on shoes, deodorant, and glasses if needed). However, you should seek medical attention if you experience any of the above symptoms. Persistent vomiting and difficulty standing or walking should be reported immediately to your surgeon's office. It is important that we are well informed and perform basic hygiene to prevent any infection from happening in the first place. If you experience a sudden burst of intense pressure or sound close to your . In short, yes. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Precautions for Flying (Flying with a blocked ear) Flying with Eustachian tube dysfunction carries the risk of middle ear damage, and in rarer cases severe inner ear damage. If the myringoplasty wasnt successful, your doctor might recommend surgery. Auto-inflation exercises. Infections in those areas travel into the middle ear and cause swelling in the eustachian tubes. It can be temporary, causing symptoms such as hearing loss, and complications can develop if the cause isn't treated. After-hours, weekend and holiday services. Hence it should be addressed properly. Food and drink will need to be restricted before surgery because of the general anesthesia. By Posted 1250 wssp on demand The eardrum is a thin piece of tissue membrane that separates the middle and inner ear from the external ear. Outer ear. Prisma Health. Your healthcare provider will provide ear drops for use following surgery. Increased pressure could slow the eardrums healing. Long-term results and prognostic factors of underlay myringoplasty in pars tensa atelectasis in children, Interventions for adult eustachian tube dysfunction: a systematic review, Erosion of the small bones in the ear (specifically the. First, treat any middle ear infections you experience right away. It may be performed to treat an ear infection, an infected mastoid bone, or if a cyst forms. They should be able to give you a complete evaluation of your hearing. A person experiencing a retracted eardrum can also try to control and hold their breath, restrict and constrain their body, an action similar to releasing a bowel, to alleviate the pressure. DOI: Kasbekar AV. Once you're cleared to go home, you'll be given discharge instructions. Your healthcare provider will choose either a total or partial ossicular replacement prosthesis. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. It has several functions, including transmitting and amplifying sound waves and protecting delicate ear structures. However, if it retracts enough to press on the bones or other structures within your ear, it can cause: In more severe cases, it can cause permanent hearing loss. Ear barotrauma occurs when theres a difference in pressure between the inner and outer ear. Strategy, content and design by Strider Digital. This eardrum can retract or in other words back in due to several types of trauma such as-, Some of the conditions that can contribute to a retracted eardrum are mentioned below-, In most cases, there are no symptoms of a retracted eardrum. Danner CJ. Next, theyll use a device called an otoscope to look at the inside of your ear. When sound waves strike your eardrum, the eardrum vibrates. Your Ear Health practitioner, general practitioner or otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) can complete a visual exam to determine if you have a ruptured eardrum. Always be honest with your surgeon in answering any preoperative questions about new symptoms (such as a recent fever or cold), medications, supplement usage, and the last time you had something to eat or drink. You can go home the same day unless anesthesia requires a more extended hospital stay. Normally gentle swallowing, yawning or popping the ears allows this tube to open and the ear is protected. Acute otitis media: Part I. What does this mean? On occasion, the entire tympanic membrane may become retracted The second relates to nerve or cochlea trauma. Inserting an object into your ear can rupture your eardrum. The eardrum is a thin layer of tissue that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It's crucial to follow your surgeon's advice and take it slow, even if you're feeling well. This occurs when the pressure in the middle ear area becomes very low. Interventions for adult eustachian tube dysfunction: a systematic review. One can always use approved medicine such as antibiotics for the ear, ear drops, and painkillers just to name a few. Possible symptoms include: Let your doctor know if you experience these symptoms. ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. If your ruptured eardrum fails to heal, it will leave your middle ear vulnerable. A loud noise that occurs close to the ear could also cause a burst eardrum. Information on Tympanoplasty and Mastoidectomy. You might experience ringing in your ears (called tinnitus) for hours or days afterwards. To apply 2-3 sprays into each nostril both 30 minutes before ascent and descent. As an ENT and pilot I feel I can answer this fairly well. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2016.01.010. Sutter Health is a registered This is because of the pressure of the middle ears space is very low. A myringoplasty is sometimes done intentionally to relieve pressure, such as fluid build-up in the middle ear. About & Disclaimer | Terms | Privacy | Contact, The Symptoms and Treatment of Acute Appendicitis, Craniosynostosis causes Symptoms and Treatment, Sulfur or Rotten Egg Burps Causes and Home Remedies, Mucus Threads in Urine Causes, Symptoms and Treatment. Anastasia, RDN, CD-N, is a writer and award-winning healthy lifestyle coach who specializes in transforming complex medical concepts into accessible health content. Rapid pressure changes can also lead the eardrum to rupture; this can happen while scuba diving, flying, or going to high-altitude places. The not-so severe cases of the retracted eardrum can improve on its own if the pressure inside the eardrum returns to the normal level. A simple ear hygiene will already go a long way in creating a comfortable and healthy lifestyle. Follow your specialists treatment recommendations precisely. Keep on reading to find out if you can fly with a ruptured eardrum. The treatment depends on the underlying cause due to which the eardrum retracted. A retracted eardrum can sometimes resolve on its own. However, it is possible to fly with a ruptured eardrum. A retracted eardrum can be temporary, causing symptoms such as muffled hearing. Fever Fever is another symptom associated with a ruptured eardrum, especially if the injury was sustained in a car accident. The most common surgical procedure for a perforated eardrum is called tympanoplasty. The Eustachian tube can get blocked due to upper respiratory infections, inflamed sinuses or allergies. If you're having a tympanoplasty, be sure to follow your surgeon's instructions to avoid any delays in your ability to have the operation as scheduled. Flying has its own set of risks. If you do get injured while traveling, contact your nearest airports emergency services department. Follow-ups will be scheduled to evaluate your body's healing and remove any packing material that doesn't dissolve on its own. If the diagnosis is delayed and balance is affected, additional symptoms may include vertigo, dizziness, nausea, headache or a feeling of fullness or swelling inside the ear. ), How to prevent ear pain with flying (https://youtu.be/d9WXSQDpl2s). (5)diseaseslist.org/retracted-eardrum/ Overview of Serous Otitis Media (Fluid in the Ears), Eardrum Conditions That Cause Redness Inside the Ear. The following are simple manoeuvres that in a vast majority of cases prevent problems when flying. It takes an average of two hours to complete a tympanoplasty procedure. You might get airplane ear when on an airplane that's climbing after takeoff or descending for landing. Each of these tests can be useful to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Organs in your inner ear called the saccule and utricle contain tiny calcium carbonate stones that help your body sense acceleration. (12) This fluid can then be tested to determine the right medications for treatment. When the tube is not functioning properly equalisation does not occur and a degree of discomfort felt. The short procedure is usually done as outpatient surgery. Yes, due to retracted eardrum there can be an excessive fluid build-up. This usually happens after a sudden blow to the head. Swelling Your face and neck may swell as blood rushes to the area. The doctor can insert ear tubes into the eardrums to drain the excess wax from the ear. It can take a few weeks for your eardrum to heal without treatment. However, potentially serious complications can arise if the underlying cause isn't treated. Dermabrasion: Everything You Need to Know, Quintuple Bypass Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, Sinus Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, Eyelid Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, Stomach Ulcer Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, What to Know About Big Toe Bone Spur Surgery (Cheilectomy), Bunion Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, Amblyopia Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, Vertebroplasty: Everything You Need to Know, Balloon Sinuplasty: Everything You Need to Know, Tympanoplasty in Children - Ear Drum Repair, Information on Tympanoplasty and Mastoidectomy, Heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of stroke, Hearing that doesn't improve or gets worse. Anesthesia Risks. A tear in this tissue is called: When your eardrum is ruptured, you can experience hearing loss. Dizziness Dizziness is another sign of a ruptured ear. Its then able to translate sound waves into nerve impulses. There are two major types of hearing loss, conductive and sensorineural. union square hospitality group gift card; clubhouse baseball baseball; forest service lease cabin for sale utah. To understand the condition better, lets have a look at the ear anatomy. Healthline reports that this test can be very useful to measure how the middle ear responds to changes in air pressure. There are three parts of the ear that work together to help you hear- the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. As MedMum explains, there are two main parts to the tympanic membrane: the pars flaccida and the pars tensa. Ear Ringing You may notice a ringing sensation in your ears. The treatment used to correct negative pressure in the eardrum depends on the root cause of your auditory tube dysfunction. Overview Airplane ear (ear barotrauma) is the stress on your eardrum that occurs when the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment are out of balance. I've used ear rinses and had my primary care doctor examine it, but she could not find anything. The nine signs you may have a perforated eardrum include: Hearing loss A spinning sensation (vertigo) Nausea or vomiting from vertigo Ear pain that may subside Mucus-like, pus-filled, or bloody drainage from your ear A ringing in your ear (tinnitus) Episodic ear infections Facial weakness Dizziness Here's how the process is likely to play out. Gently popping the ears by blowing out through a blocked nose, or puffing out the cheeks. If it fails to heal after six months, you could experience conductive hearing loss. If your dizziness feels like you are spinning or the room is spinning (and especially if associated with nausea or vomiting), this might be due to an inner ear problem. Make sure to keep your ears free of foreign objects. You may have to complete some last-minute paperwork, meet with the anesthesiologist to review the plan for sedation, and have your vital signs checked by the nursing staff. If treatment is needed, it may include nasal steroids, oral antibiotics, the placement of a temporary ventilation tube in the eardrum, or the surgical removal of enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Here's everything you need to know before going in for your procedure. Is it safe to fly if one has a perforated eardrum? You might be surprised to learn that you can live a normal life despite having a ruptured eardrum. Developing a middle ear cyst is a potential complication as well. Have you ever wondered how are you able to hear? Keep track of any symptoms you experience. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe a decongestant or recommend surgery. Too much earwax or water in the ear can lead to clogged ears. The eardrum might tear as a result. If you're healing well, you'll be cleared to get back to your usual activities. What is Pansinusitis? (2009). Answer: Retracted eardrums are usually an indication that there is negative pressure (a vacuum) behind the eardrums in the middle part of the ear. Theyll help you file a report and provide assistance until you arrive at your destination. Privacy Policy Post-Operative Information: What to Expect after Surgery, Glue Ear, Middle Ear Infections and Grommets, Tympanic Membrane Perforation (A hole in the ear drum) and Tympanoplasty (myringoplasty), Ossicular chain prostheses (OCR), Stapes pistons and MRI safety, Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) Update, Bone Anchored Hearing Aids: Cochlear BAHA, Medel Bonebridge and Medel Vibrant Soundbridge, Oticon Ponto, Immune-Mediated Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Congenital Hearing Loss [Permanent Childhood Hearing Loss], Otitis Externa (outer ear infection) or swimmers ear, Sleep Apnoea and Tonsillitis in Children (Tonsillectomy), Precautions for Flying (Flying with a blocked ear). If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems such as depression, anxiety, memory loss, and dementia. Improving diagnostic accuracy. (1) In order to understand what a retracted eardrum really is, it can be helpful to first refresh your memory about basic eardrum anatomy. It's full of air. Is It Good To Drink Water Before Sleeping? 2015;141(1):34-9. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2014.2804. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, the retracted eardrum can heal within a week. Instead, follow these simple steps to begin corrective treatment as soon as possible: Get a referral to an ENT specialist. Myringoplasty is different from tympanoplasty in that it is more simple and takes less time to perform. One of the most common conditions being diagnosed is having a retracted eardrum. Anesthesia risks are higher for patients who have: As with any surgery, there is a risk of bleeding and infection after tympanoplasty. As Surgery Encyclopedia outlines, if the retracted eardrum is due to past trauma to the eardrum, a tympanoplasty, or surgical eardrum repair, may be the only viable treatment option.(13). Your tympanoplasty will be completed inside a hospital setting, since general anesthesia is ofteen required. Myringotomy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. Our eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane, is a very sensitive part of our ear. Have you ever come out of a flight with a pain in your ear, or a pressure? var cid = '2167042925'; A surgeon will graft a patch of your tissue to close the tear in your eardrum. This video has been medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD. With this test, the ENT specialist can get a clear view all the way down into the ear canal to see the position of the eardrum. Someone will need to drive you home, whether you go home the same day or the next day, since it takes several hours for the anesthesia to fully wear off before it is safe to resume driving. A ruptured eardrum is a serious health concern. can you fly with a retracted eardrum. However, people with ruptured ear drums may be concerned about flying, partly due to the pressure in the air as well as the height. We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage caused by the rupture. top social media sites in bangladesh If you're anxious about your upcoming tympanoplasty, knowing what to expect can help ease your nerves. But sometimes a rapid change in air pressure outside can drive the pressure level inside an individuals ears to fall speedily, thus having a retracted eardrum. They might need to conduct additional tests to determine if youre experiencing hearing loss. Due to some particular activities, this eardrum can be pushed back inside the ear, which is known as the retracted eardrum. It could tear from a blow, such as from a sporting accident. This is sometimes done using nasal steroids or decongestants. ins.dataset.adClient = pid; Clear liquids may be consumed up to two hours before surgery. One of those is cabin pressure. Required fasting time varies based on the age of the patient. You should avoid flying if you have blocked ears or cold or flu-like symptoms. The eardrum comprises two parts: the pars tensa, which is the main part of the eardrum, and the pars flaccida, which is a smaller part of the eardrum located above the pars tensa.Either or both of these parts may become retracted. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. veterinarias abiertas hoy domingo; cro asx review; taxable income examples; new albany high school baseball coach; southwest airlines pilot bidding; similarities between praying mantis and grasshopper . The purpose of a tympanoplasty is to fix the membrane, improving hearing and providing relief as a result. It is an inpatient procedure done under general anesthesia (or sometimes under local anesthesia), and takes two hours or more. A retracted eardrum can cause ear pain, temporary hearing loss, and drainage of fluid from the ears. When you rupture your eardrum, you lose your ability to protect yourself against infections. Seizures Seizures occur when your body experiences electrical activity in certain parts of the brain. Treating a retracted eardrum can range from simple observation to major surgery. We have to remember that in more severe cases, a professionals intervention may be necessary. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); can you fly with a retracted eardrum. Tympanometry. Does Cold Air Aggravate Asthma? When air pressure changes, these bones move and create vibrations that travel along nerves to your brain. More severe cases require treatment to increase airflow in your ear. A chronic ear infection can be an ear infection that doesnt heal or a recurring ear infection. For example, you could develop hearing loss. Your surgeon will weigh the potential risks and benefits of a tympanoplasty before recommending your procedure. A cholesteatoma is an abnormal, noncancerous skin growth that can develop in the middle section of your ear, behind the eardrum. You might also see it referred to as tympanic membrane atelectasis. ins.dataset.adChannel = cid; For this reason, it is actually relatively common, although it probably isnt a topic that would come up naturally in casual conversation. It allows sound waves to pass through to your inner ear. American Society of Anesthesiologists. About 66% of the patients with ruptured eardrums hurt themselves by sticking instruments into their ears. That curve becomes convex in whole or in parts and is then said to be retracted.. When there is negative pressure, a vacuum is created within the middle ear, causing the eardrum to get sucked in (retract). Sometimes, this can happen during sports activities. Immediately before the surgery, there shouldn't be much left to do. Nankivell PD, et al. For instance, youll need proof of your hearing status. An eardrum retraction happens when a humans eardrum gets pulled and forced on the space behind the tympanic membrane. A tissue graft is taken from the patient, usually from behind the ear, and used as the patch. In tympanoplasty, the ENT doctor removes the damaged part of the eardrum and replaces it with a small piece of cartilage from the outer ear. At the ears outermost tip is the pinna, which is the curved exterior shell that helps to reflect, hold and transmit sound down through the ear tube, or auditory canal, into the innermost portions of the ear. However, flying with a ruptured eardrum is common, and it does not necessarily mean that you cannot fly. Follow your surgeon's instructions to ensure a safe recovery, and you should be back to feeling like yourself (only better) in no time. It is a must that we keep our bodies healthy and in the best state to function normally and with ease. A retracted eardrum is a manifestation of conductive hearing loss. None of this is possible without support from people like you. The commonest exacerbating factor is a simple cold where the nose becomes congested. Required fields are marked *. (10)healthline.com/health/tympanometry Your middle ear is the part behind the eardrum (or tympanic membrane). Disclaimer: All content on this website is intended for informational purposes only. Your eardrum is responsible for two primary responsibilities: hearing and protection. Children's Minnesota. In a tympanoplasty, the surgeon patches a hole within the eardrum that isn't healing by itself. Canali I. A retracted eardrum usually doesn't cause any symptoms. Vomiting Vomiting is often seen following a head injury. It is a short, only minimally invasive test that involves transmitting tones with each measurement of the tympanometer.(10). So, if youre concerned about how your hearing will affect your flying experience, talk to your physician first. Keep on reading to find out if you can fly with a ruptured eardrum. A ruptured eardrum occurs when there is bleeding inside the ear canal. If it's been more than three months and the hole hasn't healed on its own, you may need a tympanoplasty to surgically close it up. Tympanic membrane retraction describes a condition in which a part of the eardrum lies deeper within the ear than its normal position.. This is because it does not remove scar tissue or rebuild other aspects of the eardrum, meaning it may be better suited for a smaller eardrum perforation. An ER doctor gave me antibiotics which didn't help. The screws transmit vibrations from the surrounding air into your skull, which then reach your inner ear. You can do this by: Do this for 10 to 15 seconds at a time. If severe, the negative pressure can even suck fluid into the middle ear. Tympanoplasty and Mastoidectomy. When the sound waves hit the eardrum, there are vibrations that are converted to signals that let you hear. Take any necessary paperwork, personal identification, and insurance information for pre-surgery forms that may be required. With CHL, your brain receives distorted signals about sounds in your environment. Nearly half of these cases involved a cotton-tipped ear swab. For example, you could listen to music at a high volume. Jaisinghani VJ. Why do my ears get stuffy when I have a cold? A myringoplasty procedure might be suggested to close the tear. Voc est aqui: Incio. Are you going through any of these symptoms? Often the use of sugar free chewing gum can help. For example, consider placing a warm, dry compress on your ear throughout the day. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As MD Edge explains, this test uses sonar technology to measure how fast sonar (sound) waves travel to and from the tympanic membrane, giving it the nickname SGAR. This eventually leads to hearing loss.