Childhood ear surgey. Anyone else?

[trace030]

I'm interested in diving sometime in the near future, but I had childhood ear surgery for glue ear, or as it's usually described "I had tubes out in my ears" as a kid. I'm going to consult my doc and if there are questions an ENT specialist.
My question is, is there anyone else out there who had the same surgery at any point, and has it had any effect or restriction on your diving?
I'm not looking for medical advice, just the experiences of anyone else with a similar history so I have some frame of reference if the doc OK's me.
Thanks.

 

[Detonate]

Never actually thought about it, but I too had the same surgery as an infant.

I have no problems diving.

 

[Mick L]

I had surgery when I was younger and was in and out of hospital for years. I couldn't get any water in my ears or even a puff of cold air without getting a terrible ear ache.

I started diving about a year and a half ago. I had no problems until my AOW deep dive. I had trouble equalising on this dive and there were a few other factors such as the terrible viz and weather which meant we had to stay right on the anchor line. Anyway i held onto the anchor line and dropped a metre or so very quickly while trying to unsucessfully equalise and pop, there goes my left ear. Afterwards I went to an ENT doc and he told me that the eardrum was traumatised but not burst. A few days later the swelling went down and I was back in the water. Haven't had any problems since.

My point is, in MY case, I had bad ears, had the surgery, dived without problems, managed to injure an ear again, and still dive without problems. The human body can take a lot of punishment and keep on going.

I wouldn't have gotten back into the water without seeing an ENT doc after the incident though.

Best of luck

 

[scotter]

I had the tube treatment when I was little. I have not had any problems with my ears while diving. When (or if) you try out the scuba, just take it slow and equalize often. I like to gently equalize before I dive in... kinda like stretching.

Good luck with your future scuba adventures!

 

[trace030]

Everyone so far has given me exactly what I'm looking for as far an idea of what to expect. Hopefully this is all a good omen, and I'll be in the water over the next few months. Thanks!

 

[Drew Sailbum]

seeing the doctor is the right thing to do here. But before you go, get whatever medical clearance form the dive shop will require and take it with you. That might save you a return trip.

Good luck.

 

[procyon]

I had the same surgery but when I was 17 rather than when I was little. This presented the complication that I didn't outgrown the tubes and had to have them removed under general anesthetic. (sp?)

I had a long chat with the doctor about it and basically for me it falls in the category of "in the back of my mind". Something for me to always be aware of but it hasn't stopped me yet. Just my own little experience.

 

[MoBayDiver]

I also went through the same "tubes" procedure as a small child. I also checked in with my doctor before trying scuba, and was given a clean bill of health since my ears had grown normally these many years since.
:boom: My doctor did however tell me to keep a watch out for changes in hearing and pressure relief after each dive as his UNCONFIRMED study showed that people with the procedure seem to have "swimmers ear" more often than those that had not undergone the "tubes" surgery.:boom:
Again, this is my own doctors opinion and not stated on any fact or medical study other than those that he sees coming into his office. He has made it clear to me that in my short diving recreation, I have no signs of difficulty in regulating pressure, or clearing my ears out after a dive. (Though I have not been exposed below 50Ft as of yet.)
Best to you , happy diving.