The pressure applied to the body increases greatly as a person descends deeper and deeper in the water. Squeeze occurs when pressure from the surrounding water compresses gas in the ear, sinuses, or intestines, as the pressure increases during descent.

Barotitis externa
In the case, pressure is exerted on the ear canal when a diver descends. A small pocket of air in the ear canal can form if the ear canal is plugged with wax or earplugs. This can result in eardrum rupture or damage to the ear canal.

Barotitis media
In this case, pressure is exerted on the middle ear. This can also result in eardrum rupture.