What triggers alternobaric vertigo?

Alternobaric vertigo is primarily triggered by rapid pressure changes that are transmitted to the inner ear. When divers experience sudden changes in pressure, such as during rapid ascents or descents, each ear may equalize pressure differently, leading to a discrepancy in how sound and balance information is processed by the brain. This inconsistency can create a sensation of dizziness or vertigo, as the brain receives conflicting signals from the two ears.

The inner ear contains structures responsible for balance, and a rapid change in pressure can disrupt these structures' normal functioning, resulting in the vertiginous symptoms associated with alternobaric vertigo. Proper equalization techniques are essential for divers to mitigate this phenomenon, ensuring that pressure is balanced in both ears simultaneously during ascents and descents.