Otic barotrauma refers to pressure changes in the external environment that are sufficiently abrupt and/or large, and result in damage to the ear, manifesting with ear symptoms (ear fullness, hearing loss, tinnitus) and disequilibrium. A clinician often will examine a patient’s ears (to assess the integrity of the eardrum) and may check a hearing test. Depending on those results, referral to otolaryngology may be appropriate.