Can a flight cause an ear infection?

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

I understand how a pressure differential caused by an altitude change can cause temporary pain, but can it actually cause a lasting infection? There are two suspected cases in my entourage.

 

[hypatia]

Flying is listed as a risk factor on this page.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/sinus-headache-000073.htm

 

[nismaratwork]

Anything which can cause a fluid build-up in the inner ear raises the risk of infection. Ever been on an unpressurized flight?... heh, my ears didn't feel too great, and while it didn't directly infect me, it created the conditions for infection to set in.

 

[hypatia]

After several long deep dives, I ended up with a really bad sinus infection, which went into my inner ear. Ouch, talk about painful!

 

[Borek]

Any change of pressure from low to high can force some mucus with bacteria into inner ear through Eustachian tube, that can end in infection.