Ear injury linked to rollercoasters

Careless thrill-seekers risk injuring their ears on high speed rollercoasters, it was claimed yesterday.

Doctors in the US have linked a common ear injury to forces experienced on the adrenalin-pumping rides.

The condition, called barotrauma, is caused by rapid changes in air pressure and normally associated with flying, scuba diving and the effects of explosions. It can lead to temporary hearing loss, dizziness and painful swelling in the ear.

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Barotrauma can be avoided by yawning or chewing gum to equalise pressure on both sides of the ear drum. But this is hard to do while soaring and diving on a fast-moving rollercoaster.

The research centred on a 24-year-old man who developed serious pain in his right ear 36 hours after riding on an amusement park rollercoaster.

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