OliviaRose
Registered
**THIS IS A LONG POST**
Hello Divers!
I really need some advice on what to do about my left ear. I am a new diver with 15 logged dives and a few un-logged dives from before I got certified. I also work occasionally for a friend’s pool company doing very basic tests and repairs, checking for leaks, etc. I have been swimming and snorkeling all my life, and love the ocean more than words can express. Becoming a certified diver this year was and is one of the best things I have ever done in my life, and even though I’m still green, I truly love it and will be forever drawn to the seas.
I hope to continue my diving and pursue advanced training assoon as possible. I live in Boston, so that likely wouldn’t be until the spring although I’ve been considering taking a trip do to my Advanced Open Water in warm tropical waters (not sure where yet – suggestions are more than welcome).
Unfortunately, my left ear does not agree with my aspirations. The following is an abbreviated medical history:
1995: Tubes at age 8 due to chronic childhood ear infections; 1997-ish: Left tube becomes lodged in ear canal causing serious infection, has to be removed; 2002: 1st ear drum (left ear) perforation with vertigo while “freediving” in the BVI – I’d never heard of freediving back then, I was 15 and wanted to see something at the bottom of the reef. It was a fairly frightening experience but I didn’t seek any medical care at the time; 2009: First scuba dives in Vieques. The first two dives (30-35ft) were no problem and I absolutely LOVED IT. On the third dive, I perforated my left eardrum for the 2nd time at about 40ft; we were descending to 60ft. I was able to alert my instructor and make a controlled ascent – no vertigo. I saw my ENT upon return and he said it had healed without issue; 2010: 3rd small perforation in the left ear from a very shallow dive (no more than 5-7ft) in the USVI; 2015: Obtained OWD certification
*It should be noted that most of this happened before I had any knowledge of or training in diving whatsoever*
My pool training and certification dives went smoothly, despite very cold water temperatures (46-55 F). Shortly after, I had a 4th perforation of the left ear while trying to descend on a shore dive in Mass. I only had a couple feet of water over my head when it popped.
My lifelong ENT retired shortly prior to this and my new doctor at the same practice told me it was a small tear, to let it heal, and refrain from any further diving until my trip to Hawaii about a month later as not to risk further injury and increase the chances of success on the trip. He also advised Sudafed before diving and not wearing a hood when possible.
Eight dives all over Hawaii went wonderfully, without a single problem. It was amazing and really helped build some confidence after having another rupture so soon after finishing my certification. I was able todive to 71 feet (my deepest dive so far) and would have loved to have gone deeper. I also had the joy of night diving with the manta rays, which was just unbelievable.
Upon my return, I went on a super fun boat dive with my dive center and reached about 65ft on both dives successfully – no issue until thesafety stop, when we were pulled down about 4ft by the surge and my ear burst very, very quickly. I almost had enough time to equalize before it was too late but second guessed myself as we were on the ascent and I hadn’t been looking at my depth gauge to see that we had been tugged down a bit. It was a big error on my part.
I realize how lucky I am not to have hole too big to closeup by now. The small tear is at the outer edge of the tympanic membrane and asof this week my ENT could still see a crust where it is healing. According to the doctor (and based on past experience) this is likely to keep happening and the eardrum is weaker. I have a small ear canal and the TM is very thin.
Oddly enough, the right ear has never had a single problem, only the left. It seems to be that once I make the descent past the first 30 feet or so, my ears actually adjust quite well. I don’t feel uncomfortable at all once I get past the big pressure change. The ONLY thing I want to do is keep diving once it is healed and the ENT has left that choice to me after advising me of the risks (mainly vertigo at depth – which I have never experienced and hope not to). Is there anything at all I can do to help reduce the risk of another perforation?
Sudafed, pre-equalizing, equalizing frequently, and tucking my chin has been helpful. I always descend feet-first. I try so hard to be exceptionally careful and it just keeps happening.
Has anyone on here had similar experiences and continued to dive successfully? Please help!
Hello Divers!
I really need some advice on what to do about my left ear. I am a new diver with 15 logged dives and a few un-logged dives from before I got certified. I also work occasionally for a friend’s pool company doing very basic tests and repairs, checking for leaks, etc. I have been swimming and snorkeling all my life, and love the ocean more than words can express. Becoming a certified diver this year was and is one of the best things I have ever done in my life, and even though I’m still green, I truly love it and will be forever drawn to the seas.
I hope to continue my diving and pursue advanced training assoon as possible. I live in Boston, so that likely wouldn’t be until the spring although I’ve been considering taking a trip do to my Advanced Open Water in warm tropical waters (not sure where yet – suggestions are more than welcome).
Unfortunately, my left ear does not agree with my aspirations. The following is an abbreviated medical history:
1995: Tubes at age 8 due to chronic childhood ear infections; 1997-ish: Left tube becomes lodged in ear canal causing serious infection, has to be removed; 2002: 1st ear drum (left ear) perforation with vertigo while “freediving” in the BVI – I’d never heard of freediving back then, I was 15 and wanted to see something at the bottom of the reef. It was a fairly frightening experience but I didn’t seek any medical care at the time; 2009: First scuba dives in Vieques. The first two dives (30-35ft) were no problem and I absolutely LOVED IT. On the third dive, I perforated my left eardrum for the 2nd time at about 40ft; we were descending to 60ft. I was able to alert my instructor and make a controlled ascent – no vertigo. I saw my ENT upon return and he said it had healed without issue; 2010: 3rd small perforation in the left ear from a very shallow dive (no more than 5-7ft) in the USVI; 2015: Obtained OWD certification
*It should be noted that most of this happened before I had any knowledge of or training in diving whatsoever*
My pool training and certification dives went smoothly, despite very cold water temperatures (46-55 F). Shortly after, I had a 4th perforation of the left ear while trying to descend on a shore dive in Mass. I only had a couple feet of water over my head when it popped.
My lifelong ENT retired shortly prior to this and my new doctor at the same practice told me it was a small tear, to let it heal, and refrain from any further diving until my trip to Hawaii about a month later as not to risk further injury and increase the chances of success on the trip. He also advised Sudafed before diving and not wearing a hood when possible.
Eight dives all over Hawaii went wonderfully, without a single problem. It was amazing and really helped build some confidence after having another rupture so soon after finishing my certification. I was able todive to 71 feet (my deepest dive so far) and would have loved to have gone deeper. I also had the joy of night diving with the manta rays, which was just unbelievable.
Upon my return, I went on a super fun boat dive with my dive center and reached about 65ft on both dives successfully – no issue until thesafety stop, when we were pulled down about 4ft by the surge and my ear burst very, very quickly. I almost had enough time to equalize before it was too late but second guessed myself as we were on the ascent and I hadn’t been looking at my depth gauge to see that we had been tugged down a bit. It was a big error on my part.
I realize how lucky I am not to have hole too big to closeup by now. The small tear is at the outer edge of the tympanic membrane and asof this week my ENT could still see a crust where it is healing. According to the doctor (and based on past experience) this is likely to keep happening and the eardrum is weaker. I have a small ear canal and the TM is very thin.
Oddly enough, the right ear has never had a single problem, only the left. It seems to be that once I make the descent past the first 30 feet or so, my ears actually adjust quite well. I don’t feel uncomfortable at all once I get past the big pressure change. The ONLY thing I want to do is keep diving once it is healed and the ENT has left that choice to me after advising me of the risks (mainly vertigo at depth – which I have never experienced and hope not to). Is there anything at all I can do to help reduce the risk of another perforation?
Sudafed, pre-equalizing, equalizing frequently, and tucking my chin has been helpful. I always descend feet-first. I try so hard to be exceptionally careful and it just keeps happening.
Has anyone on here had similar experiences and continued to dive successfully? Please help!
