Swimmers Ear

[Mr. Nudi]

I've always had problems with my ears ever since I was a child. I've had numerous tubes, countless ear infections, and problems with water entering deep into my ear with little ease. To explain, I cant do flips underwater or turn my head sideways or I get a flooding of water rush into my ears.

As for diving, it seems I am cursed with the "two tank dive demon." The third dive tends to always be aborted because I cannot equalize due to water in my ears. I use Doc's Proplugs to help reduce the amount of water entering my ears and have worked really well, but to help reduce the amount of water that gets in my ear, my question is....

Has/does anyone use swimmers ear after each dive during their SI? If so, has it made a difference?

Also been to the ENT doc and he has no comment or fix for the issue.

 

[Lee Taylor]

I have used swimmers ear. Apparently swimmers ear reduces the potential for infection by drying and cleaning the outer ear canal. Swimmers use it because their ears are constantly wet and the potential is great for infection. The downside is that the swimmers ear also removes the ear wax. The ear wax is has important functions. It assists in cleaning, lubrication, protects against bacteria, etc.

It doesn't seem to me the volume of water in the ear would be any more on the second and third dives. It seems to me the outer ear would totally flood on the first dive, second dive, and third dive.

I am guessing that the root cause of the problem is the eustation tube is collapsing or is filling with liquid (or both). If you can figure out how to keep this pathway open, I think you will have the answer.

 

[ektess1]

You are probably not going to like this, but here goes.
Find an EMT that is familar with diving DAN is great for this. You don't have to be a member, but you are a fool if you are not.
Given the number on tubs that you have had, SCUBA may not be for you.
See the specialist with knowledge of diving, then follow their advise.
Good Luck.

 

[jridg]

I have the Sahara Ear dryer - like a mini hair dryer for your ears - makes life much nicer for multiple dive days as it helps dry out those ears post-dive.

 

[Wildbill]

I have always used a homemade solution of equal parts of Isopropyl Alcohol and vinegar. This was told to my mom by my pediatrician. I never had any ear problems growing up and I was always swiming somewhere. I was on a swim team from as early as I can remember and also swan in local lakes and canals. Mom would put several drops in each ear at bedtime and I was good to go.

 

[cflJason]

You might try Doc Pro Plugs for Diving. They make this ear plug specifically for diving, and it has worked great for me. I kept getting ear infections simply from teaching diving and being in the water frequently This solved the problem. Doc's Proplugs: The Doctor's Choice for Ear Protection

 

[CompuDude]

Seems to me water in your ears would actually solve the problem of equalization, not cause it. You don't have to equalize water, just air.

Is the problem ear inflections, or water in the ear?

Some reading for you re ear infection (aka swimmer's ear... different to the "swimmer's ear" product sold in markets which is simply 95% alcohol in a squeeze bottle... and is a terrible product for our purposes):

DAN Divers Alert Network : More On Swimmers Ear

DAN Divers Alert Network : Can You Prevent Otitis Externa, or Swimmers Ear?

The simplest solution to chronic ear infections (outer ear) is so called "ear beer". As mentioned above, mix 50% white wine vinegar with 50% rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. Fill each ear and let it soak for 5 minutes (one at a time, obviously) at the end of the dive day. No more infections, pretty much guaranteed.

Next, you should watch the video "The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure" on this site:

Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page

Any more questions not covered by that, ask back here or check with a specialist recommended by DAN... otherwise good doctors don't necessarily know everything they should or could about diving-specific issues.

 

[alex_tx]

Here is a scubaboard thread relating to swimmers ear , ear infections & preventive maintenance suggestion.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/advanced-scuba-discussions/269454-ear-infections-4.html

 

[Jupiter31]

You might try Doc Pro Plugs for Diving. They make this ear plug specifically for diving, and it has worked great for me. I kept getting ear infections simply from teaching diving and being in the water frequently This solved the problem. Doc's Proplugs: The Doctor's Choice for Ear Protection

He says he has used them - w/ no results

I 2nd the suggestion of contacting DAN and getting a referal - can be a big difference in consulting a dive oriented Dr. I would not give up on diving, or keep trying the other unsucessful remedies until you do so.

 

[PuddleDiver78]

I just came back from a diving trip to Florida about a week ago. I didn't have any problems down there but on the ride home (to Pa) my ears slowly started to hurt. 2 days later my right ear was killing me. I went to the ENT and he gave me drops, antibiotics and pain killers. When i went back for my check up i asked if there was anything i could do to prevent this from happening again. He explained that it was cause by so much water in and out of my ear it caused the PH to change. He gave me drops that i can put in my ears after my dives to prevent it, so now i just keep the drops in my dive case.
He also said if i didn't want to get the prescription that i could make my own drops using half white distilled vinegar and half distilled water. he said its just a 50/50 mix and will prevent this from happening again.