Which of the following is a common symptom of a middle ear squeeze?

A common symptom of a middle ear squeeze is pain during descent or ascent. This pain occurs due to the difference in pressure between the external environment and the pressure within the middle ear. As a diver descends, the water pressure increases, and if the Eustachian tubes do not equalize the pressure, it leads to discomfort or pain. Similarly, during ascent, if the pressure is not equalized, the diver may also experience pain as the air in the middle ear expands.

The sensation of pain indicates that the barometric pressure outside and inside the ear are not balanced, which is the essence of a middle ear squeeze. Understanding this symptom is essential for divers, as it highlights the importance of proper equalization techniques to prevent injury to the ear structures during a dive.