Problem with water in ear.

[Sibulyo]

Hello.

About a year ago, I had a tympanoplasty, and I’m planning to start diving soon. However, I’ve noticed a problem. I’ve been swimming in a lake a few times – the operated ear is doing fine, but my left ear is causing issues.



Water gets into it very easily, which leads to a mild pain and makes it impossible to equalize using the Valsalva maneuver. The discomfort usually lasts for several hours after swimming – and it happens every time. The issue comes up even with regular surface swimming , so for now, diving is out of the question.



I saw an ENT specialist, but according to him, everything looks normal and he couldn’t see anything wrong.



Has anyone experienced something similar? Or does anyone know what could be causing this?



Thanks in advance!

 

[clownfishsydney]

There is a mask with connected ear muffs that mean you do not get water in your ears nor need to equalise. A friend uses one. No idea where to get though.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hello.

About a year ago, I had a tympanoplasty, and I’m planning to start diving soon. However, I’ve noticed a problem. I’ve been swimming in a lake a few times – the operated ear is doing fine, but my left ear is causing issues.



Water gets into it very easily, which leads to a mild pain and makes it impossible to equalize using the Valsalva maneuver. The discomfort usually lasts for several hours after swimming – and it happens every time. The issue comes up even with regular surface swimming , so for now, diving is out of the question.



I saw an ENT specialist, but according to him, everything looks normal and he couldn’t see anything wrong.



Has anyone experienced something similar? Or does anyone know what could be causing this?



Thanks in advance!

Hi @Sibulyo ,

It sounds from your post that you have not yet started diving. When are you feeling the need to equalize your ears such that you know the Valsalva maneuver doesn't work?

Simply getting water into the external ear canal should not cause pain. Are you sure that the source of pain is the water?

Best regards,
DDM

 

[gamon]

Don't know about the cause but an effective way to treat the symptomatic ear is to wear vented plugs. I prefer the hydroseals which are sold by Divers Direct to the Docs Pro Plugs which I have found to be not as comfortable and tend to fall out which is why they're supplied with a leash to prevent loss.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

There is a mask with connected ear muffs that mean you do not get water in your ears nor need to equalise. A friend uses one. No idea where to get though.

Don't know about the cause but an effective way to treat the symptomatic ear is to wear vented plugs. I prefer the hydroseals which are sold by Divers Direct to the Docs Pro Plugs which I have found to be not as comfortable and tend to fall out which is why they're supplied with a leash to prevent loss.

Though possibly good advice under the right circumstances, these might be a bit premature considering that the cause of the OP's symptoms is not known. Also, I believe that the Pro-Ear (or similar) mask that @clownfishsydney is referring to does require the user to equalize the ears since the pressure in the mask and connected ear covers changes with depth.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[uncfnp]

As DDM said and as you can see by this diagram, water can easily enter the ear through the ear canal but can not go through to the middle ear because of the ear drum. This does not interfere with equalization and should not cause discomfort.

Prolonged water exposure in the canal can lead to “swimmer’s ear” otitis externa but your rapid symptom onset and resolution excludes this.

Excessive ear wax could possibly cause your symptoms but that would easily be seen by the ENT.

Did the ENT offer any suggestions after finding a normal exam?

 

[clownfishsydney]

Though possibly good advice under the right circumstances, these might be a bit premature considering that the cause of the OP's symptoms is not known. Also, I believe that the Pro-Ear (or similar) mask that @clownfishsydney is referring to does require the user to equalize the ears since the pressure in the mask and connected ear covers changes with depth.

Best regards,
DDM

My understanding is just putting some air in the mask via your nose keeps the pressure in the ear covers at 1 ata. At least that is what my friend does.

 

[Sibulyo]

Hi @Sibulyo ,

It sounds from your post that you have not yet started diving. When are you feeling the need to equalize your ears such that you know the Valsalva maneuver doesn't work?

Simply getting water into the external ear canal should not cause pain. Are you sure that the source of pain is the water?

Best regards,
DDM

I always try to make Valsalva on the surface after this happen. Usually I can't feel my eardrum "moving", so I assumed that it wouldn't work underwater?

There is a mask with connected ear muffs that mean you do not get water in your ears nor need to equalise. A friend uses one. No idea where to get though.

I saw this mask before my tympanoplasty surgery. The thing with this mask is that is that you can't use it on diving courses.

Did the ENT offer any suggestions after finding a normal exam?

Unfortuneatly no.



My theory is that I have chronic inflammation in middle ear. Using cotton buds also casues discomfort and mild pain, so water is only one of possible triggers.

 

[lncxr]

In the UK and Ireland there's something called EarCalm that's very helpful for treating (and even preventing) inflammation. There's also Earol 'ear drops' for swimming which prevents water from penetrating through to the inner ear canal. I've used Earol in combination with earplugs while swimming with great success, I'd recommend consulting your doctor to see if a spray like I've mentioned is suitable for your ears, and maybe some vented earplugs as well for good measure!

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

My understanding is just putting some air in the mask via your nose keeps the pressure in the ear covers at 1 ata. At least that is what my friend does.

The pressure in the mask and ear covers is equivalent to the ambient pressure otherwise the diver would experience reverse barotrauma.

Best regards,
DDM