Hearing loss after diving

[cambrann]

Hey guys,

I did my confined water portion of the Open Water cert this past weekend. I had a little trouble equalizing but just swam up a little and equalized again no issue. Saturday night after the first day in the pool it felt like I had water in my right ear, and it was hard to hear. I just put it off as water in my ear.
On Sunday it felt the same but there was no water in my ear. So I went to a Patient First and the doc took a quick look and said it was Swimmers Ear. I think it is more than that because it's felt the same since Saturday night.

Anyone ever had something like this?
I have an appt with a physician tomorrow, hoping to get referral to ENT.

 

[HantsDiver]

I've had intense ear pain after a dive once. It was a long time ago and I don't think it qualifies me to give medical advice so I won't.

But I will give this advice. Try and get seen my a diving doctor if possible. Or at least someone with experience of diving medicine. Most doctors are not experts in pressure related injuries to the ears and won't know what to look for. My suspicion is that you will be okay - but as I've said I'm not medically qualified.

 

[PSUSciDiver]

Back in college I was in the pool with dive training every week and ive had this happen a few times. Most of the time it was when I had sinus congestion and shouldn't have been diving. The 'water' feeling in your ear is actually bodily fluids in your middle ear and not water from the pool. In my experiences it would take around a week or two too clear up and in a few cases from open water dives even longer.

Middle-Ear Barotrauma (MEBT) | Ears & Diving - DAN Health & Diving

 

[DevonDiver]

If you have a 'muffled' feeling after diving it's probably due to over-forceful equalization.

Over-forceful valsava equalization can cause inflammation and/or fluid retention in the middle war.

It's common with novice divers.

It should clear on its own within 24 hours. It'll just go away with a 'pop'.

If it doesn't... and the inflammation persists.. then an ENT would prescribe suitable steroids and anti-inflammatory meds.

An ear infection would also cause significant pain... and would be in the outer ear canal.

You don't 'retain' water in the outer ear canal... but if you had excess ear wax, then it may have been compressed into a 'plug' at the end of your outer ear canal. An ENT can remove that plug.

Be wary of alcohol, peroxide or vinegar based ear solutions. These are very harsh in your ears.

Your natural ear wax is effective in lubricating and protecting your ear canal. These harsh solutions strip away that wax and also dry out the sensitive skin in the ear canal. This leaves you more vulnerable to outer ear infections.

Simply rinse your ears with drinking quality, or sterile, fresh water post-dive. This removes the salt; which crystallises and scratches the ear canal allowing infection.. and also removes any biological matter that promotes infection.

If your ears feel dry or scratchy, put a drop of olive oil in each ear before sleeping. This replaces any lost ear wax for lubricating the ear canals and stops them getting too dry and prone to infection.

 

[DevonDiver]

Duplicate post

 

[cambrann]

It should clear on its own within 24 hours. It'll just go away with a 'pop'.

Had this start Saturday night. Hasn't cleared or gotten better and its now Monday. Still hopeful it will just self resolve though! Was reading of some cases of people having hearing problems for months and it got me worried.

I dont have any pain in my ears but i cant hear anything and theres a very subtle ringing if i focus on it.

 

[GreggS]

I am very susceptible to swimmers ear and/or ear infections. My rars woukd usually be like you describe after each diving excursion and I had to go to the doctor a couple of times with ear infections that wouldn't clear up at all following dive.

I finally bought some diving ear plugs and haven't had any ear problems since. I do have to wear a hood or beanie every dive to keep from losing them, but it is well worth it to not have to put up with the ear discomfort. If you get a pair, just make sure to get the right size for you.

 

[cambrann]

I am very susceptible to swimmers ear and/or ear infections. My rars woukd usually be like you describe after each diving excursion and I had to go to the doctor a couple of times with ear infections that wouldn't clear up at all following dive.

I finally bought some diving ear plugs and haven't had any ear problems since. I do have to wear a hood or beanie every dive to keep from losing them, but it is well worth it to not have to put up with the ear discomfort. If you get a pair, just make sure to get the right size for you.

Did you have pain with your ear infections? I don't and I remember having painful swimmers ears years ago.

 

[GreggS]

Did you have pain with your ear infections? I don't and I remember having painful swimmers ears years ago.

Yes, I did. But i also had times when I felt, as you discribe, like I had water in my ears and couldn't get it out, muffled sounds, etc. This was early in my diving experience and then later developed into infections. Once I got that last one cleared up is when I bought the ear plugs. Haven't had the least bit of a problem since.

 

[charlier]

Had this start Saturday night. Hasn't cleared or gotten better and its now Monday. Still hopeful it will just self resolve though! Was reading of some cases of people having hearing problems for months and it got me worried.

I dont have any pain in my ears but i cant hear anything and theres a very subtle ringing if i focus on it.

My suggestion - if the fullness in your ear does not improve, visit an ENT. In my limited experience, an ENT that has training or experience in dive related ENT conditions is best. Why not call DAN on the non-emergency hotline and ask for recommendations for ENT docs in the area. Best of luck...