Barotrauma Questions. Scared

[LucidKid]

I was apnea training in a pool only about 18 ft deep and had some
congestion and was not able to equalize. Usually i never have problems
equalizing in this pool and can do so w/o even pinching my nose. I tried
to "force" equalization by pinching my nose. It didn't hurt at all in the
pool but on the drive home felt clogged up. A few hours later i was in a
world of pain. there was a sharp pain in the ear and a dull pain
radiating on the side of my head. I went to the ER and the doctor said my
eardrum was all red and inflamed he said i had barotrauma but not what
kind. It doesn't hur as bad today (they next day) but still a little and
very stuffed up. I had tinnitus already but now it seems to be worse, but
i'm not sure if this is a reslut of the ear being blocked (my ear has
been blocked up in the past and it allows me to hear the ringing louder)
or if my tinnitus has actually worsened. I also noticed some dry blood
inside of my ear this morning. does this mean the ear drum is ruptured?
or i have heard that this can happen from it being stretched enough for
blood to pass through. If you rupture an eardrum does this mean you can
never dive again? also might I have actually worsened my tinnitus? is
there a way to tell what kind of barotrauma i have, inner, outer, or
middle? I have also noticed some vertigo and being off balance a little.
the ear is very stuffed. I fear that I might not be able to dive again
but my biggest fear is that i may be stuck with this ringing and balance
problem forever.

 

[H2Andy]

oh, man, i'm sorry to hear this.

have you called DAN yet? they can help answer these questions and/or help
you get in touch with a doctor in your area familiar with diving issues.

here's their non-emergency phone line:

1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948, Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm (EST)

best of luck to you, hang in there

 

[gert7to3]

If you had ruptured your eardrum, the ER doc would probably have been able to see it. If you were able to equalize and did not have water entering your middle ear, then your eardrum is most likely intact. Having a red, inflamed eardrum simply indicates a traumtic episode has occurred. A severely strained eardrum could bleed into the outer ear canal. Ruptured eardrums will heal. Did your ER doc prescribe any decongestant, even a nasal spray like Affrin, and refer you for an exam by an ear nose and throat specialist? An ENT specialist will be able to provide the most compehensive evaluation of your condition.

There are other, more subtle forms of barotrauma which could result in tinitus, vertigo and the head ache you describe. These could involve injury to the fenestra ovalis or the fenestra rotunda. These are other, smaller membranes within your middle ear. An ENT will be able to diagnose issues with these structures. The description of your symptoms would warrant an immediate appointment with the ENT, press the scheduling person on this matter. Don't let them put you off for weeks.

BTW, I'm going to see my ENT Monday for a breached typanoplasty whilst diving in Bonaire last week.

 

[Zippsy]

... These could involve injury to the fenestra ovalis or the fenestra rotunda. These are other, smaller membranes within your middle ear.....

that's the oval window and round window to those of you who don't speak Finnish

 

[molksmith]

First of all I suffered a episode of Barotrauma and
basically you just have to wait weeks or months until that fluid drains. It finally did for me. The Other thing is never force your eq. I made that mistake. It should be a gentle blow.

Second of all,
Rupturing your eardrum won't end your diving career, maybe your music producing career. On the same trip that I got the barotrauma I was with a dutch couple and the man had blown his eardrums twice so he used one of those masks with the Ear Covers and the tubes that go into the mask. So at the very least you would have to wear one of those.

 

[LucidKid]

thanks for the replies, i'm pretty sure that the eardrum hasn't been ruptured. my biggest concerns are the ringing and the slight dizziness not going away b/c of some damage to the inner ear or somthing. anyhow ill probably see a specialist this week, do they have to be a "diving" related doctor or will a regular ENT be able to understand whats going on w/ me.

 

[liberato]

A ruptured eardrum is the least of your worries. Your reported symptoms are very serious and self-diagnosis is not appropriate in this case. You need to see a dive-aware ENT specialist.

Edit: A non-dive-aware ENT will understand what is going on but will not be sympathetic to your need to return to diving.

 

[LucidKid]

i woke up this morning and i had bled a little bit out of my ear last nite.