The ear consists of three major sections: outer ear, inner ear, and middle ear. The outer ear is the visible portion that leads to the eardrum. The inner ear consists of the hearing organs that send sound signals to the brain.

As divers, we're concerned about the middle ear, which is the air space behind the eardrum. Air is supplied to the middle ear by a narrow airway called the Eustachian tube, which is connected to your airway.

Your middle ears are important balancing mechanisms for your body. If the pressure or temperature inside your middle ears differ from each other, you'll lose your sense of balance and experience dizziness or vertigo, which can be an uncomfortable experience.