Rapid altitude and ambient pressure changes during aviation and diving activities pose well-documented risks for middle ear barotrauma, particularly when individuals experience pre-existing ear pain or difficulty equalizing pressure.
The claim is specific, falsifiable, and directly addressed by literature on barotrauma caused by rapid pressure changes in aviation and diving (e.g., papers 2, 5, 8, 10). Ear pain during flights indicates Eustachian tube dysfunction, which predisposes individuals to severe barotrauma when engaging in activities with extreme pressure gradients like skydiving.