Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 22:39:25 -0800 (PST)
From: Gene Thompson <gthompso@ccsf.cc.ca.us>
To: Pinhole Listserv <pinhole@exploratorium.edu>
Subject: Re: Air pressure
In-Reply-To: <v01540b0ab1482f799a00@[192.174.2.173]>
Big agreement here on the ear part of Paul's answer. I had tubes put in
my ears after I broke eardrums as a kid, and ever since have had sensitive
eardrums. Flying to LA is literally murder -- the pressure change is the
most painful thing I've ever felt. In the same way, I feel it in my ears
when I dive down 10 feet or more in a pool. But mountain climbing I've
never felt the difference -- lots of time to yawn and equalize the
pressure.
Ellen Koivisto
On Wed, 1 Apr 1998, Pinhole Listserv wrote:
> Geoff
> Great question.
> Of course you can feel the pressure change if you go to altitude fast
> enough, or come down.
> The air in your middle ear will change volume and create pressures which
> trigger motion and pain nerve firings.
>
> You cannot even feel pressure change when you put your hand into a tank of
> water. The pressure is uniform and our bodies are best at detecting changes
> in spacial distribution of pressure (or even temporal changes). However if
> you wear a playtex living glove and put it into a tank of water you can
> feel the pressure as the glove pushes hairs into your skin.
>
> Paul D
>
>
>
>