Breath Noise Reduction Ideas????

[chapman]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post to the forum. I hope I'm not repeating old questions- I did a search but didn't find this exact thread.

I have tinnitus from noise exposure and I think the noise from exhaling on SCUBA is increasing my tinnitus. Other than a rebreather or an old twin hose reg, are there methods of reducing noise? I'm going to try wearing my vented proplugs next time. I dive with a ScubaPro D400 and an O'Neill Avalon with attached hood.

I did see a reference to a device that I think attaches to the exhaust vent on the reg. Can someone point me to more info?

I don't think the proear2000 will work with the heavy hood, although I'm willing to cut it (I'll save the cut outs so I can sew them back in if necessary!)

Thanks for any suggestions.

Chapman

 

[DocVikingo]

Although I cannot say for certain, for several reasons I think it highly unlikely that noise from air exhaled through your second stage is contributing to your tinnitus. However, continuing to expose your ears to the pressure changes & clearing techniques inherent in scuba may be.

In any event, bubble noise can be substantially reduced with a full face mask. Alternatively, you could check out a second stages with large, swept back exhaust tees such as on some APEKS models.

Vented earplugs such as Doc's Proplugs should also prove very effective, but take great pains to keep the vents from clogging.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[chapman]

Hi DocV,

Thanks for the quick reply.

I looked at APEKS models on the web but didn't see any with extended exhausts. I'll look into it further.

I'll make sure to keep the plug vents clear, it would only be a problem on descent.

Cheers,
Chapman

 

[Boogie711]

Maybe the Doc can confirm this for me, but I'm concerned about

it would only be a problem on descent

If you have high pressure inside your outer ear (ie - between the plug and your ear drum/inner ear) at the bottom, and you rise, what's inside that space will expand. If, for whatever reason, the plugs are not vented on ascent, you can still suffer an injury. But again, I'm not the Doc.

 

[chapman]

If the plugs aren't stuck in your ear (the proplugs just sit in the outside of the ear canal), increased pressure behind the blocked plug will vent around the outside of the plug.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[wet]

And I have found that wearing a hood helps me. Your milage may vary...

 

[ssra30]

I am all for anything that would keep the noise level down without drastically changing my equimpments too much.
Not so much for medical problem but so I can creep toward all the little fishies and critters easier to photograph them