Which of the following conditions could lead to a middle ear squeeze?

A middle ear squeeze occurs when there is an imbalance between the air pressure in the middle ear and the surrounding water pressure, especially during descent while diving. When divers descend, the water pressure increases, and if the pressure in the middle ear does not equalize quickly, it can lead to pain or injury.

Rapid air pressure changes are a primary cause of middle ear squeeze because they prevent the middle ear from equalizing with the surrounding water pressure in a timely manner. This failure to equalize can result in the eardrum being pushed inward, causing discomfort or potential injury to the ear structure.

While other options may relate to ear health and diving, they do not directly lead to a middle ear squeeze in the same way rapid pressure changes do. For instance, ear infections may cause issues during diving but do not inherently lead to a squeeze; instead, they may aggravate existing conditions. Excessive swimming might expose the ears to water, but again, it does not involve the rapid pressure dynamics that characterize a middle ear squeeze. External ear blockage could prevent water from entering the ear canal but would not create a pressure differential within the middle ear itself.

Understanding the mechanics of pressure changes during dives is essential, emphasizing the importance of equalization techniques to prevent conditions