Opening Eustachian Tube

[Perryed]

Afrin. I use it on every dive trip.

 

[The Chairman]

I'm not sure if you're allowed to link youtube videos here,

Of course you are... hit the "media" link above where you're typing and it will even embed it for you.

 

[Pyde]

Have you considered eustacian tube dialation surgery? Best move I ever made.

I have looked into this. I saw a specialist ENT in Salt Lake City that did my CT scan for possible Balloon Dilation. However, after the CT scan I came to find out that I happen to be in the low % of the population that didn't grow the bone that protects the Eustachian Tube from the Carotid Artery. As the doctor explained to me. If they tried to preform the surgery it could kill me. So that is a no go

 

[Pyde]

As far as Afrin / Sudafed / Nasacort. I have tried all of these per Dr. instructions. This last dive I did that worked out the best so far I had been taking Nasacort (Like Flonase) everyday for 3 weeks before the dive. I took Sudafed 1 hour before my dive. And i used Afrin about 30 minutes prior to my dive. What I didn't like about this cocktail is that through my PADI training they explained not to do this. When I talked to my Dr. about what PADI teaches divers about not using things like this to dive because of possible reverse block issues ect. he had no idea what I was even talking about.

 

[Scuba Cobra]

I have looked into this. I saw a specialist ENT in Salt Lake City that did my CT scan for possible Balloon Dilation. However, after the CT scan I came to find out that I happen to be in the low % of the population that didn't grow the bone that protects the Eustachian Tube from the Carotid Artery. As the doctor explained to me. If they tried to preform the surgery it could kill me. So that is a no go

Bummer.

Not diving could also kill you. Food for thought.

 

[aviator8]

Try lifting your chin, stretching your neck out and turning your problem ear toward the surface while equalizing. You can also try gently pulling your earlobe out. This may help to open you ET.

 

[Perryed]

As far as Afrin / Sudafed / Nasacort. I have tried all of these per Dr. instructions. This last dive I did that worked out the best so far I had been taking Nasacort (Like Flonase) everyday for 3 weeks before the dive. I took Sudafed 1 hour before my dive. And i used Afrin about 30 minutes prior to my dive. What I didn't like about this cocktail is that through my PADI training they explained not to do this. When I talked to my Dr. about what PADI teaches divers about not using things like this to dive because of possible reverse block issues ect. he had no idea what I was even talking about.

I used to do all that, but just cut back to the Afrin once in the morning. Maybe try eliminating them one at a time?

My late wife had trouble equalizing for years. She always took a long time to descend. Tried explaining the Valsalva method where you pinch your nose and exhale while leaving your throat open but she didn`t get it. Finally one dive after we came up she was beaming. "I finally got it to work!" she said. No problems after that. Maybe you just need some more practice. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[100days-a-year]

I use generic Oxymetazoline and guaifenesin.

 

[spc751]

Google Otovent. I have similar problems to you and bought a Otovent to try.

 

[divad]

Of course you are... hit the "media" link above where you're typing and it will even embed it for you.

This a lot different than than the original 1-2 page ScubaBoard....