Cutter:
How common is an inner ear infection secondary to the mechanical trauma of diving? Or in other words, given proper outer ear hygiene, how likely is one to get an inner ear infection? My wife acquired an infection after a 2 wk open water course. Before we head to the Carribean for a week, I'd like to know what she might expect and what preventative measures can be taken. Thanks!
Our species Homo sapiens (as well as many other species) are ear-wise pretty much like aliens as we have, believe it or not:SIX EARS!!!! ( 2 outer ears+2 middle ears+2inner ears=6 ears) Injuries and infections (and some other 'nice' things) can happen in any of this 6 ears sparing other 5 but sometimes two or more ears can get involved together. It is important to distinguish properly among all those ears in order to fully understand the problem. To make it easier let us focus on only one side of the head so we deal "only" with three instead of six ears. (still like aliens!)
As nonimaginative as it is the outer ear is called: outer ear, the middle one: middle ear and the inner one: inner ear. As i said all three can get into a trouble, solo or with 'company'.
Ear problems seen most often with divers:
1)Outer ear problems:
Diving is performed very often in tropics where high humidity prevents normal drying and elimination of an ear wax leading sometimes to its acumulation. Eventually plug forms which causes conductive hearing loss. Because of additional air space between the ear drum and the plug diving should not be done until plug is removed by gentle syringing. Do not do it yourself and do not allow unqualified person to do it.
At the other hand people who meticulously clean their ears with cotton buds can get into much bigger trouble. Painful trouble. Outer ear infection, that notorious diving holiday spoiler is not only "Swimmer's ear" it is also "Cleaner's ear". Removing the protective wax layer (yes, you need that "dirt") plus mechanical irritation and micro injury of the very fragile outer ear skin is just calling for trouble. Those ones who swear that they do it for ages trouble free are probably not water-people as divers are. To save your holidays use the good old "elbow rule" meaning that your elbow should be the only solid thing allowed to enter your outer ear canal.
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2)Middle ear problems:
Middle ear barotrauma, that is by far the most common ear problem and even the most common health problem in general seen in diving population. It happens from inproper pressure management where soft tissue and liquid engagement was neccessary to reach the ambient pressure within the middle ear air space instead of inflation which would prevent such injury. Liquid acumulation in a pressure injured middle ear serves as a good opportunity for bacteria to start invading. Middle ear infection is also a frequent holiday spoiler. (Both outer and middle ear infection can be potentially dangerous if not treated properly. Unless you are a 'professional health gambler' which you should not be, better see a doctor) The best prevention is to ensure that ears can be easily equalized while diving. Majority of problems are due to a poor technique and few might have anatomical reasons (nasal polyps, tube scars...) Infection usually does not follow provided that acumulated fluid (blood or exudate) is not going to stay there longer. Any delay in evacuation (drainage through the Eustachian tube as well as resorption) rises the chance to end up with infection, so frequent yawnings and eventually some decongestants are often recommended infection-preventive measures in the case of traumatized middle ear.
By the way, i believe you thought middle ear and not inner ear infection.
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3) Inner ear problems:
Fortunately, they are relatively rare. Pressure injury of the inner ear is a serious condition and total or partial hearing loss together with tinnitus and vertigo are the consequences. Such barotrauma (round/oval window rupture) happens usually after forceful Valsalva manuever was performed at depth due to equalizing difficulities. Never ever force your ears! Inner ear infections are also possible but compared to outer and middle ear infection incidences, they are fortunately rather 'exotic'. Bacterial infections are usually secondary to spreading middle ear infections. (primary virus infections are possible though)
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well i hope this might helped a bit
In order to answer your question one would at least need to know which of the 6 ears (well, 3) got into a trouble.
