decompression or pressurization

Question

If you have sinus problems, you are more likely to have problems on the airplane. It's the cabin pressurization that causes the discomfort. Airplanes are pressurized so that you can get oxygen at a high altitude. Imagine a balloon that is inflated. That's exactly what the pilots do to the cabin. On descent, they begin to adjust the cabin pressure and you may feel uncomfortable, especially if you have a sinus problem or a cold.

Does the above mean that Cabin decompression causes your ears to clog or Cabin pressurization causes your ears to clog?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

In my experience, either one can cause problems. The ideal would be to maintain the cabin pressure at normal sea-level pressure, or to make any required changes very gradually.

I think they strive to keep cabin pressure equal to the equivalent atmospheric pressure at 8,000 feet above sea level.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabin_pressurization

Anonymous · Answer

Reading the paragraph above, would you say that the person thinks the clogged ears is due to decompression or pressurization?

Your sentence:
I think they strive to keep cabin pressure equal to the equivalent atmospheric pressure at 8,000 feet above sea level.

What do you mean by equal to the equivalent? Why not equal to the atmospheric pressure?

Ps What do you think about the sentence starting with 'Reading' Is it correct grammar?

Thanks for you help

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousReading the paragraph above, would you say that the person thinks the clogged ears is due to decompression or pressurization?

I think there's an agreement error.
the clogged ears are due
the clogging of the ears is due

AnonymousWhat do you mean by equal to the equivalent? Why not equal to the atmospheric pressure?

You have a good point. I put it that way because we're not at 8,000 feet above sea level.

Anonymousthey strive to keep cabin pressure equal to the equivalent atmospheric pressure at 8,000 feet above sea level.

I was trying to make it clear, but I failed miserably.

I could have said, "they strive to keep the cabin pressure at what the atmospheric pressure is at 8,000 feet."

"equal to the atmospheric pressure at 8,000 feet" would be fine. At the time I wrote it, I thought that would be confusing.

Returning to your original question, I think the author means to say that decompression is the culprit.

But there are different ways to look at the meaning of the term "decompression." A deep sea diver has a completely different set of problems.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for the explanation,

What do you think about the sentence starting with 'reading' is it correct to start with 'Reading'?

Could you correct this for me? Should I say altitude drop change or change drop in altitude?

A drop in altitude can cause your ears to clog.
A change in altitude can cause your ears to clog.

Thank you

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousA drop in altitude can cause your ears to clog.

A change in altitude can cause your ears to clog.

It depends on the meaning you wish to convey.
"A change" could be either a decrease or an increase.
In my opinion, either one could cause a problem with your ears. If the eustachian tube is blocked, the pressure is not allowed to equalize on both sides of the ear drum.
Therefore, my choice would be "A change."
Personally, I've had agonizing pain both climbing up a mountain and climbing down a mountain.
You can experience the same thing when driving a car up or down a mountain, provided the tube is "blocked."
But of course your article is expressing an opinion specifically regarding the artificial manipulation of cabin pressure.

As an aside, I don't believe it's the change in pressure that causes the ears "to clog." A tube is either clogged or it's not. The left tube can be clogged and the right one not. If the tubes are clear, as they should be, there's no problem in adjusting to a change in cabin pressure --- especially if it's gradual.

Anonymous · Answer

Are you saying that the reason your ears clog are because either the left or right tube is blocked?
Is the above sentence correctly asked?

Grammatically, there is nothing wrong with
A drop in altitude can cause your ears to clog.
A change in altitude can cause your ears to clog.

or should I say

An altitude drop can cause your ears to clog.
An altitude change can cause your ears to clog.

Thank you for you detailed explanation.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Avangi,

Could I get your thoughts please?

decompression or pressurization

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