Can I injure/bruise my eardrum w/o popping it?

[GetNarc'd]

I was doing some shallow underwater work today and attempted to equilize via the Valsalva maneuver. I feel that I may not have needed to do it, not to mention that I was only at a depth of 12 feet or so. I didn't force it more than usual but It felt a bit painful in my right ear. For the next hour or two I noticed a slight discomfort there, and if I did it out of the water (very lightly of course!) it was sore. I know I didn't burst the eardrum or anything, but it feels like it may be 'bruised'?

 

[pickens_46929]

Yes you can get an inner or middle ear trauma and not "pop" or rupture anything.

DAN's magazine, Alert Diver, this month has a whole slew of articles.

When it doubt, call DAN and get referred to an ENT in your area.

 

[GetNarc'd]

Yes you can get an inner or middle ear trauma and not "pop" or rupture anything.

DAN's magazine, Alert Diver, this month has a whole slew of articles.

When it doubt, call DAN and get referred to an ENT in your area.

DAN can refer me to an ENT? Regaurdless of my health insurance? Or should I not count on 'that' being covered?

-Chris

 

[spectrum]

It won't be covered by DAN insurance. They do maintain a listing of dive savvy doctors however.

A dive savvy doctor is a nice thing to have but minor barotrauma falls well within the capabaility of most physicians.

Your ear may just be bruised as you say. When you say sore it it also reminds me of swimmers ear. Have you been in the water regularly? Have you been caring for your ears post dive?
http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/scuba_ears.html

That equalization and the soreness may be unrelated.

Pete

 

[dkktsunami]

Narc'd: You mention "only 12 feet deep". The greatest percentage pressure change is within the first 33' of the water column. In other words, descending from the surface to 33' is a greater change than going from 33' to 66' ( 1 ATA to 2 ATA vs 2 ATA to 3ATA ). I always have more trouble with ear soreness when doing a series of shallow dives.

 

[Nemrod]

Twelve feet is enough to rupture an eardrum. You must begin popping/clearing/equalizing (insert popular term used to force air into your Ambient Directional Vibration Sensing Device, ADVSD, (PadI lingo for your ear).

You should begin clearing your ears as you descend and continue doing so. N

 

[GetNarc'd]

For starters, I just thought I'd mention that my ears are both fine today with NO signs of any discomfort at all.

Spectrum, I'm in the water fairly regularly and have never had any problem with my ears in terms of infections or swimmers ear. No, I really don't take proper care of my ears like I should, because I haven't ever flushed them with anything more than fresh tap water after a dive. What would you suggest? Vinegar? Peroxide?

Nemrod, that's what I had thought too. The only reason I questioned myself was due to the ear pain. Thanks for clarifying.

Tsunami, I have been told that many times, and still fail to be proactive with my valsalva maneuver, on the way down. Being that i'm fairly new to the game I haven't spent much time attempting any other methods of equalizing. My friend, and SSI instructor says he gives a quick blow of air through his nostrils and into his mask, and this helps him to equalize on the way down. I've tried this but it doesn't seem to work for me.. Possibly because my ears and sinuses are different or because i'm simply not doing it soon enough on my descent.
Another way that I was wondering about is difficult to explain. If I push my tongue up a bit in the very back of my mouth and move some muscles back there it feels like I am doing 'something' with my ears and eustacia tubes. I am yet to really explore this as a technique while under water, but does this make any sense ?

 

[Gator Diver]

The latest DAN magazine focuses on ear injuries and trauma.
It is a good overview of what can happen and I enjoyed
the read.

 

[Nemrod]

Pinch your nose and blow. N