anything that can help someone equalize? please help!

[dave77]

I could sure use some help with this one. My wife, who has very small ear canals, consistently has trouble equalizing. (on planes too- her ears just don't want to pop) We love to dive, and this has put a wrench in more than one trip. Does anyone know if there's anything that can help make equalizing easier? I've read about stuff like Clearease and Proplugs. Has anyone ever used them, or used anything that may help?

Thanks for your help!
Dave
pglanvil@yahoo.com

 

[diver_paula]

I could sure use some help with this one. My wife, who has very small ear canals, consistently has trouble equalizing. (on planes too- her ears just don't want to pop) We love to dive, and this has put a wrench in more than one trip. Does anyone know if there's anything that can help make equalizing easier? I've read about stuff like Clearease and Proplugs. Has anyone ever used them, or used anything that may help?

Thanks for your help!
Dave
pglanvil@yahoo.com

Dave,

On planes I chew gum. I make sure to pop it in my mouth when I first sit down in the plane. Sometimes before boarding. It's the same principle as having babies suck on bottles during take off and landing.

Diving - start clearing as soon as you start decending. Don't wait until it feels like you need to. Just lightly clear continuously from the start of decent until 30 some feet. Or deeper if she is still having problems.

Just what's helped me over the years.
Paula

 

[TechBlue]

Hi Dave,
My wife used to have the same trouble and used the proplugs which helped, bottom line though is take your time and as Paula says equalise with every breath slowly and gently, I would just hang out and wait until she felt comfortable.

 

[pipedope]

Go to;
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html
watch the streaming video;

Streaming Video Lecture
"The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure"

Scuba diving and snorkeling can be fun ways to explore the depths - especially if you can clear your ears as the pressure changes. In this video lecture Dr. Edmond Kay discusses techniques for preventing middle ear barotrauma. Learn what to do to equalize pressure in your ears, teach others proper techniques and learn the safest way to prevent "ear squeeze". This talk was recorded live in September, 2000 and is now available for Internet viewing over the University's video portal .


It is worth watching more than once.

 

[dave77]

Thanks, everyone
Dave

 

[strider]

I've found a few remedies that may or may not help with eaqualization. Papaya is supposed to help soften the tissues of the ear from what I've heard and I have used it and noticed some benefit. It has bromelain in it that is also an anti inflammatory and decongestant that helps the eustachian tubes open up. I would get some juice, dried papaya, and some of the tablets and just try different forms for a couple weeks and see if it helps, I did it when I was doing multiple dives just to help a little.
If congestion seems to be the problem at all I would try sudafed, extra strength 12 hour. Just don't take it several hours before, make sure it will be well after the dive when it wears off. I get congested in the winter a lot and will take sudafed just to make equalizing easier. I can always equalize, but it makes it so easy I barely notice.
One more thing would be to have her tilt her head to the side, the ear that is not equalizing or just alternate to do both, and equalize with her head tilted so that her ear is pointed up, this stretches the neck and can help open the eustachian tube.
Hope this helps.
Justin

 

[samuelsk]

Make sure the descent is feet first. The Eustachian Tube remains open and allows preasure to equalize, if you dive head first, it closes allowing pressure to build up.

 

[diver_paula]

Make sure the descent is feet first. The Eustachian Tube remains open and allows preasure to equalize, if you dive head first, it closes allowing pressure to build up.

I'll second this one. Totally forgot about this helps. On rough days I'll kick down a bit and then turn myself right side up to clear. & make the rest of the decent feet first.

 

[00scuba]

I swallow frequently while descending...that helps along with plugging my nose and blowing. If I am unable to equalize after that...i rub my neck below my ears and stretch it...that sometimes helps. I have bad allergies/sinus problems. But that is always a sure way to equalize for me!

good luck

 

[Scubakevdm]

I could sure use some help with this one. My wife, who has very small ear canals, consistently has trouble equalizing. (on planes too- her ears just don't want to pop) We love to dive, and this has put a wrench in more than one trip. Does anyone know if there's anything that can help make equalizing easier? I've read about stuff like Clearease and Proplugs. Has anyone ever used them, or used anything that may help?

Thanks for your help!
Dave
pglanvil@yahoo.com

Hi Dave! Your wife's problem is not at all uncommon. I see it in maybe 10% of new divers. I think that some people have given you some good advice here, and there is something else that you can do as well. Have your wife practice equalizing alot. Make sure she does it gently, and frequently, like a hundred times a day starting about a week before your trip. This will help to keep her eustation tubes open, and will make a big difference. Also have her equalize just prior to entry, so that she goes in "full". - Kev