Bubbles popping in ears

[LI Diver]

When I ascend the last 4ft or so to the surface I get a sensation and sound kinda like rice krispies in my ears even on a slow ascent. Is this normal??

 

[makomike]

I think it is just your ears equallizing. The greatest pressure changes occur in the shallows. There is a forum related to medical, although I bet someone will have a better answer for you real soon. It happen to me sometimes also and I dive almost daily now.

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV

 

[DiverBuoy]

Having had this occur once myself early in my scuba diving career I know that a sound similar to that could possibly be a round window ear rupture, which may come from decending too rapidly and somewhat abusively trying to clear a stubborn ear.

HOWEVER, I'm not medically trained to diagnose ear problems. I have learned to pay attention to my body more than when I was younger I stopped down playing in a macho fashion those little sounds, signs, feelings, which sometimes, though not always, indicate something more serious. You should, in more detail if possible, run it by the medical and diving medicine forums for a professional opinion.

 

[TeddyDiver]

Not medically trained either, but so long there's no pain no worries. Have kind of similar feeling in my ears quite often, espacially in the right ear which I find more difficult to equalize during descends too. I pressume it's caused by somewhat narrow eustacian tube...?

 

[LI Diver]

Thanks guys yes it is mostly in my right ear which is the harder one for me to clear and I can be abusive at times even though I descend slowly and start equalizing on boat, at surface as soon as ears are submerged, and like every couple of feet it usually is a painful and slow experience for me down to about 25 feet and then after a few minutes I'm fine. Actually I am more cofortable ear wise if I stay below 25' . I've been to a ENT and he prescribed Rhinecort for my Curacao trip earlier in the year and it helped but I hate to keep taking meds. I've tried different equalizing methods as well. The ent said that I have a deviated septum and that could be it.
Ed

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

I don't like taking meds but I need to when diving. I'm a longtime time sinus/allergy sufferer and when dive season arrives I use Flonase nasal inhaler and take Sudafed decongestant(Pseudoephedrine) before I dive. Neither of these have side effects NOTE: It is very important that the decongestant not wear off during the dive. There is a 12 hour tablet available

Rap

 

[LI Diver]

Thanks Rap, I always buy sudafed and never use it even though I've taken it on land first and even before a strenous workout at the gym just to see how I would tolerate it. I was just concerned that between the anxiety of being a new diver and the decongestant it might make me a little jumpy or be a strain on my 45 yr old heart. I think I may try it on a shallow easy reef dive next time.
Ed

 

[Brewone0to]

Take special,particular note to "Rapidiver's" last two lines on not letting the effects ware off during the dive. As whatever stoppage is eliminated by the Sudafed will be even worse than befor,and this could result in a reverse squeeze that could end your diving forever.I know a guy who did this befor and ended his acent with his sinuses in his mask.

BTW Ihear those same sounds from about 15' up & they do reduce if I slow down to an incredibly slow acent rate.
Micro-bubbles in bloodstream??
Possibly being heard because of close proximity of artery to inner ear??

Brewone0to
Just Another Florida Diver

 

[LI Diver]

BTW Ihear those same sounds from about 15' up & they do reduce if I slow down to an incredibly slow acent rate.
Micro-bubbles in bloodstream??
Possibly being heard because of close proximity of artery to inner ear??

Brewone0to
Just Another Florida Diver[/QUOTE]

Micro bubbles, no sounds too scary! I prefer to think about it as reverse equalizing I think I've actually heard air bubbles buzz out of right ear once!
As far as that sinus thing I often have some bloody mucus in my mask and throat after a dive. Is this an omen that my sinuses will follow?

PS I just popped a 24 hr sudafed while sitting at my desk and I will hit the gym later and think stressful thoughts while running on treadmill ! If you don't see anymore posts from me you'll know how it worked out!

 

[makomike]

Doubt it is micro bubbles, but what do I know?! The blood in your mask is likely from a rupture of a small blood vessle. Can be caused from a forcefull equalize or some blockage. I have seen alot of new divers get it and it generally goes away. I have had it twice. Once on my first dive, long time ago, and recently when I had congestion and thought I could beat the congestion(dumb of me).

I am not a doctor nor do I play one here. Disregard everything I have said.