First dive ear issues and upcoming airplane flight

[John_t]

I’ve been snorkeling my whole life, but finally did my first scuba dive in St. Croix. We did 2 dives, 20-30’ max. In both initial descents, my right ear had pain, even though I tried to pressurize periodically and early on. Each time, the pain was enough that I almost asked the guide to abort, but it then got better. After the dive, my right ear feels clogged with different levels of hearing change when I rotate my head. The clogging feels different from usual ocean swim ear clogging. I assume that what I have is a middle ear barotrauma and possibly a ruptured ear drum. Long story short, I am taking a flight home tomorrow and was wondering if the pressure change from the flight may create any issues and whether there is something I should do to be prepared. And should I see an ENT or just let this heal by itself? There is no pain (yet). Thanks in advance.

 

[crofrog]

call dan

 

[Robert H. Diver]

Like he said ^^^ call DAN, do not dive till you talk to them. Learn different techniques to equalize and equalize early and often, if you’re feeling pain, it’s too late and you need to ascend some to equalize.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Go and see an Ear specialist before you fly.

 

[drk5036]

Gosh. I wonder what percentage of burst ear drums happen on discover dives. It’s a pity.

 

[Alaskan Scuba Dude]

Have you been to your local GP or visited a pharmacist for advice? It could be a mild infection.

 

[tursiops]

I’ve been snorkeling my whole life, but finally did my first scuba dive in St. Croix. We did 2 dives, 20-30’ max. In both initial descents, my right ear had pain, even though I tried to pressurize periodically and early on. Each time, the pain was enough that I almost asked the guide to abort, but it then got better. After the dive, my right ear feels clogged with different levels of hearing change when I rotate my head. The clogging feels different from usual ocean swim ear clogging. I assume that what I have is a middle ear barotrauma and possibly a ruptured ear drum. Long story short, I am taking a flight home tomorrow and was wondering if the pressure change from the flight may create any issues and whether there is something I should do to be prepared. And should I see an ENT or just let this heal by itself? There is no pain (yet). Thanks in advance.

How did you try to pressurize/equalize your ears?

 

[happy-diver]

 

[scrane]

When you say snorkeling do you mean surface snorkeling or free diving?

 

[John_t]

How did you try to pressurize/equalize your ears?

I held my nostrils and exhaled like I was told, moved my head left and right. I did it early and often, but around 8-10’, my right ear had pain that eventually went away in both dives.

I did take the airplane flight - had no issues. Could pressurize my ears OK, with more clicking on the right side. Ear feels less clogged now, but I may see an ENT regardless.