Another Newbie Ear Problem...

[ADVRCR1]

Hello All,

I am a brand new member to ScubaBoard and this is my first post. I have searched through the many posts concerning ear equalization issues, but wanted to see if the many experts out there could give me some advice specific to my circumstances.

Every time I dive I have issues clearing my ears and this problem has reached the point where I just don't want to dive anymore. I guess this is a last effort in trying to solve my equalization issue. I have seen an ENT, but he was little help in providing resolution. He recommended/prescribed the use of medications, but I would prefer to solve the issue without the use of medications. I do not have problems with my ears when in an airplane and can easily preform voluntary tubal openings when my head is above water. Once my head goes underwater though I can't get my ears to clear no matter what method I try!

Does anyone know of a physiological anomaly that would allow someone to equalize above water, but not underwater? Is this perhaps something more psychological (pressure and anxiety of trying to equalize)? Before my last dive two weeks ago in Bonaire I practiced for weeks clearing my ears while sitting at my desk. Once my head went underwater they wouldn't equalize.

My wife is also a diver (who has absolutely no problem equalizing) and I would love to be able to dive with her.

Thanks!

 

[aquaregia]

Have you tried equalizing in ~1" of water, like in a bathtub or anything? Do you have the same problem there?

 

[Blue Sparkle]

Here's a hint that helped me (sorry if this is old news): Equalize your ears while your head is above water, just before you begin your descent. This "pre-inflates" your eustachian tubes, which seems to make them easier to clear once you get below the surface.

I found this tip through a link that TSandM provided, and it proved quite helpful to me. I was usually able to equalize before (when I waited to start until I was submerged), but it was very time consuming (and there were times I could not equalize).

At least it's something you could try. It sure helped me (and it makes sense, once you think about it).

B.

 

[jmasin]

Me thinks the problem is in your head

ba da bum!

Seriously though, I'm no ENT and no expert, but I think aquaregia asks a good question.

If you can voluntarily do it out of water, can you voluntarily do it in water with no depth?

What if you are just standing in a swimming pool and submerge without the pressure of having to clear or not being able to dive?

Make sure you RELAX! I think now you've built it up to be a thing and you definitely have some level of stage anxiety when it comes to equalizing or not diving. Try to relax a bit.

Maybe see a different ENT. There are good docs and bad docs. Are you a member of DAN? Maybe you can call them for a referral? I'm not sure if they have ENTs listed or just baro docs, but maybe they can direct you to an ENT who dives?

 

[ADVRCR1]

That is a great question. When diving/snorkeling I have tried to equalize as soon as I put my head underwater. Another aspect I wonder about is whether, in some cases, having a snorkel/regulator in the mouth can change a person's physiology as to not allow proper equalization.

 

[jmasin]

Another aspect I wonder about is whether, in some cases, having a snorkel/regulator in the mouth can change a person's physiology as to not allow proper equalization.

To some extent that is true.

I can sit at my desk all day long and make my ears click and even "pump em up" without ever touching my nose or pressurizing my mouth.

Once the reg is in it took me a long time to be able to clear my ears in that fashion, I think partially due to jaw positioning and the limited jaw wiggling ability with a reg in.

Now I can mostly clear by just wiggling the jaw and never touching my nose. Sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it.

Keep at it, you will get it. It doesn't seem like something that one could "learn" or "improve" on, but it is, it gets easier and easier over time. Just relax and keep trying different methods in a pool with no stress no time requriement and no performance anxiety.

 

[ADVRCR1]

Wow! So many replies in such a short time.

jmasin - I sort of agree with you about the stage anxiety, however I do tend to be a person that stays cool under pressure. The next time I am at the swimming pool (hopefully soon) I will try to equalize when placing my head just below the surface and there is no psychological pressure. Also, I am a DAN member and the ENT I saw was referred by them.

Thanks Again.

 

[fnfalman]

I'm not a doctor, so take it for whatever it is. I've seen beginners who can't seem to pinch their noses and blow whenever a reg is in their mouths. Somehow, when they do that, they'd exhale right through the reg.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

@ADVRCR1: How many different ear equalization methods have you tried? Click through the link in my sig and watch Dr. Kay's presentation. On his website, he describes several different methods for ear equalization. Some involve pressurization (Valsalva), whereas some focus on opening/stretching the Eustachian tubes. A few techniques are combinations of the two. Try all of them and see what works for you.

I suspect that you equalize by swallowing. It can be difficult to swallow with a reg in your mouth. (For giggles, right now at your desk, try swallowing while keeping your mouth open an inch or two. Difficult, huh?)

 

[TSandM]

There are several things I can think of that are different between pressurizing your ears on the surface, and equalizing underwater.

First off, on the surface, the pressure inside your pharynx and the pressure in your middle ear are equal. When you descend, the pressure inside your ear is less than the pressure in your pharynx, causing the Eustachian tube to tend to collapse. That's why it can take more effort to equalize underwater than, for example, when driving down a hill in a car. I can solve that kind of pressure difference simply by opening my mouth enough; I can't equalize underwater that way.

The longer you wait to equalize, the worse this effect becomes -- thus the utility of pre-pressurizing, the way Blue Sparkle describes.

Second, the position of your jaw when it is holding a regulator is different from the position you may be having it assume while pressurizing your ears on land. You might try doing that while holding a regulator in your mouth, and seeing if it changes the situation at all. Generally, the more open the mouth is, the easier it is to open the Eustachian tube (which is why small children get their ears cleared by crying) but that may somehow not be the case for you.

The fact that this is easy for you on land should suggest that it will not be difficult underwater, once you get it figured out. Most people who have severe difficulties underwater also have problems doing this on land.