Any hope for a potential diver with constant ear inflammation?

[dome]

Wife has been told in the past that she has constant inflammation in the ears. She usually has some discomfort during plane landings (this has been going on forever). She's going to see an ENT doc suggested by DAN before our next trip.

Think there is any hope that she'll be able to dive? Or do you think she's doomed to be a lifelong snorkeler?

Thanks!

 

[DandyDon]

Where is your next trip? Some diving destinations can allow for more time equalizing than some others. Ears are the #1 challenge for :newbie:s it seems, either equalizing or swimmers ear infections from not prophylactic treating ever day. The link below may help some. I'd hate to hear that she finally equalized going down, then could not on ascent tho. :11:

Good luck!

 

[donnad]

there's a mask now that has compartments that cover your ears, so you don't get water in them. that may help (assuming she is able to equalize of course)....the mask has a tube that connects the compartment at the ears with the space in the front of your mask. (looks dorky if you ask me, but who cares if it works for ya)

 

[TSandM]

I wonder how somebody decided she has "chronic inflammation" in her ears.

I don't think you're going to get any very useful information here, because we just don't know enough to advise. The ENT appointment is the right step. If her problem is something like allergies causing edema of the Eustachian tubes, it may well be treatable.

 

[dome]

Thanks. ENT checked her out and gave her the green light. The chronic comment was a vague recollection from a drs appoint years ago. Here ears used to always hurt really bad on flight decents. I don't think she has trouble on ascents. But it's gotten better over the years.

Heading to Cozumel. Getting down and having the trouble on the way back is probably what is worrying me most. Been talking to Scuba Mau and mentioned the situation. They've been very accomodating offering shallow options to try.

Thanks for the help!

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Dome,

As Don Donaldo has suggested, she should view:

The Driver's Ear - Under Pressure
Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page

It's a bit lengthy, but very informative.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[DocVikingo]

there's a mask now that has compartments that cover your ears, so you don't get water in them. that may help (assuming she is able to equalize of course)....the mask has a tube that connects the compartment at the ears with the space in the front of your mask. (looks dorky if you ask me, but who cares if it works for ya)

Hi donnad,

The inquirer is supposed to visualize and locate this device based on that description? ; )

That would be the ProEra2000 (Swimming Ear Protection Diving Masks ProEar 2000), a dohickey/dojigger/gizmo/thingamabob/thingamajig discussed with some regularity on this board ----> http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/search.php?searchid=6599405

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[dome]

Thanks for the tips. I'll have her check out the video.

I should be ok, I googled "mask ears dorky" and I'm still working my way through the results

 

[Debraw]

The pro ear mask. My instructor husband used one when he had a very bad ear infection and had to teach the class anyway. It worked great.
I recently went on a dive trip and after a few dives I had my usual problem with my left ear that normally starts later in the trip. This time I took 800MG of ibuprofen after the inflammation and kept the dry ear drops up after every dive and I made it the whole trip without a problem.