What symptoms may accompany a ruptured eardrum during scuba diving?

A ruptured eardrum, or tympanic membrane perforation, can occur due to rapid changes in pressure while scuba diving, leading to various symptoms that can manifest simultaneously.

Nausea can result from the body's reaction to pain or from pressure changes affecting the inner ear, which plays a crucial role in balance. This disruption may trigger a sense of vertigo or dizziness, often resulting in nausea.

Blood in the ear canal directly indicates trauma to the eardrum, which may occur if the rupture is significant or if there is accompanying injury to the surrounding structures in the ear. This symptom suggests that there may have been a breach of the delicate blood vessels in the area due to the pressure differential or physical force.

Experiencing a cold sensation in the ear is also possible, as exposure to the water and the immediate changes in pressure can create unusual sensations, possibly due to the loss of protective barrier that the intact eardrum usually provides.

Since all these symptoms—nausea, blood in the ear canal, and cold sensation in the ear—can indeed accompany a ruptured eardrum during scuba diving, the conclusion that all of the above symptoms may be present is an accurate assessment of the potential effects of this condition.