Anyone Equalize without Valsalva ?

[humanFish]

When I first started abalone divng a few years ago I was trained to do the valsalva maneuver in order to equalize my ears. After awhile, I realized that I am able to equalize without doing a valsalva or jaw tweaking, tongue tricks or anything I've heard of before. This comes in extra handy on freedives so I can maintain good form as I descend....

Does anyone know what this might be called? I recently discussed this with my doctor and he knew of the valsalva but could not categorize this phenomenon. He said there are small muscles in the ear that most people can't move at will which explains why I can do it...I guess I'm just wondering how much company I have....

Anybody out there do the same thing or know what it's called?

BTW - When I perform this action above water, I hear an audible "click" in each ear...when in water I equalize but I can't recall if I hear the sam "click: or not....

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

I just breathe and swallow. Its the same theory and used by parents on airplanes travelling with young kids when taking off or descending--you give them something to drink which forces them to swallow.

 

[humanFish]

I just breathe and swallow. Its the same theory and used by parents on airplanes travelling with young kids when taking off or descending--you give them something to drink which forces them to swallow.

I wish more parents knew the tricks

aha, yet another method......i've heard of that method as well...however, When I do this it doesn't require swallowing or breathing....I can do it several times in a row as well....2 times a second or so....I have weird ears I guess...

thanks for sharing....

 

[Snowbear]

Anybody out there do the same thing or know what it's called?

Yeah - I do that, but I sure can't remember the name of the technique.....
There's someone on this board who has links to a website that explains it, maybe he'll chime in?

 

[goodknight411]

That sounds like what i do. I just think Pop my ears. and there they go, no breathing or swallowing required. I've never heard if there is a name for it. I think it must be like your Dr. told you, muscles that we can control voluntarily for some reason. (i can also wiggle my ears, so mabey it's something similar)
Some people in my family can also do it.

I'm curious about how many of the divers here do this too? Anyone else?

 

[baitedstorm]

The Frenzel maneuver?

 

[MtnDiver]

I can definitely control the muscles around the eustachian tubes. I can actually hold them open for long periods of time while breathing in and out.

I discovered this while taking pilot training in small single-engine aircraft about 15 years ago.

Sure makes descending/ascending in water a breeze!

Guess I'm one of the lucky ones. :14:

 

[goodknight411]

The Frenzel maneuver?

Nope, that's when you hold your nose and swallow.

If what i'm doing is the same as what we're talking about here, there no swallowing or blowing involved. We can just open our ears and equilize. Like MtnDiver i can also hold mine open for long amounts of time, or do it quickly like humanFish.

 

[Bubble Blower 479]

I've never had any trouble popping my ears at will. I just open the tube and it clears. My understanding is that it is genetic. Some people can curl their tongue while others can't. I don't think there is a specific name for this skill though.

 

[baitedstorm]

Nope, that's when you hold your nose and swallow.

If what i'm doing is the same as what we're talking about here, there no swallowing or blowing involved. We can just open our ears and equilize. Like MtnDiver i can also hold mine open for long amounts of time, or do it quickly like humanFish.

hrmmmmmm..... maybe we should invent a name.... I don't blow or swallow to pop them.