Bad ears - any hope?

[zgubis]

Dears,

i have some very funny ears that can sense even the slightest change in pressure: e.g. when on the plane, i know when we start to descend even before the captain pushes the ''fasten your seatbelts' sign. Not to mention that they start to make noises and hurt while we descend even further. In the bad days, i can even be 'deaf' for a while and they crack and hurt even when the plane is finally on the ground. it usually, takes a few good hours before i'm in good shape again. however, they are at least decent enough not to get upset both of them at the same time - they take turns I chew gum, i take special pills, i have nose drops, Halls etc - the whole set. The simpotoms are milder, but thet are still there. i've seen 3 different doctors and they have all recommended the above. Diving, in their opinion, is not possible(

However, i love the sea and i would love to be able to dive one day and i'm hoping that the medical stuff that is specialized in diving can help
I heard that there are some medical procedures that involve the enlargement of the channels that link the ears and nose. Is that possible? Or is there another solution?

Any advice is very, very welcomed!
Thank you in advance and i'm looking forward to hearing from you
Alina

PS: I appologize if this question has been asked before, i hope my asking is still OK

 

[dk2943]

I had similar problems, but really wanted to dive. I contacted DAN and they recommended a "dive friendly" ENT. I recommend you do the same.

By the way, my solution, as suggested by the md, was to use Afrin before I dive.

 

[AXL72]

chop off your ears. You don't need em.

Listening to music or oncoming traffic is so over-rated

 

[zgubis]

How can i find these DAN doctors? any site? thanks

yes, they are so overrated))

 

[NielsBlokie]

You can have a look at the website of DAN Europe. -> google.
(was something like daneurope.org)

But remember, it is not without reason that these doctors say you can't dive. If the DAN doctor argues differently, be careful and listen to pains etc. Pain is a no-go.

However, I wish you the best of luck, and let's hope you'll be diving soon!

- oh, and ehm,, have a look at the website of the pro-ear masks. These are special masks for people with problems such as yours. It is especially to keep them dry, but might also be handy for you.

Again, Good luck!

Dive Safe,
Niels

-
Nil volentibus arduum

 

[zgubis]

Niels

thanks a lot! that's very handy information. i will defenitely pay a visit to a DAN doctor and we'll see how we take it from there

have great dives!
xxxx

 

[Brewski]

Do you attempt any equalization techniques on aircraft? I use the same valsalva maneuver when I fly that I use underwater.

 

[k374]

I really feel your pain as I am in the exact same situation and hope I can find some solution because I really love to dive as well and would be really depressed if I can't do it.

My doc has told me that I should not dive again :shocked2: since I busted my eardrum several days ago but I think that is a default overly cautious response. I am thinking of taking a consult from a DAN referred doctor.

I would really like to do a very shallow dive, say max 20ft and just practice super slow ascents and descents to see how my ears are reacting and what I can do to coax them to equalize - Valsalva does not work but perhaps Frenzel or any other technique. I'm also going to try the Doc's pro plugs to keep water out of my ear canal - that was also a cause of infection and trauma to my ear canal and I am thinking equalizing should be easier without water in the canal.

The ProEar mask seems promising, it creates a air cavity that is isolated from the external water pressure. Some people dispute whether it works but looking at the physics of it I can't see why it would not work. Have you looked into this?

 

[Damselfish]

I'm also going to try the Doc's pro plugs to keep water out of my ear canal - that was also a cause of infection and trauma to my ear canal and I am thinking equalizing should be easier without water in the canal.

Note that you must use the vented proplugs for diving and they do NOT keep water out of the ear, they just slow down the rate of exchange.

 

[k374]

Note that you must use the vented proplugs for diving and they do NOT keep water out of the ear, they just slow down the rate of exchange.

per the specs they keep water out for the first 20ft and then gradually allows water in.