Cleaning the ears with Vinigar and Water

[coliseum]

I remember back then when I did my OW course... the instructor gave us a tip that would help us in reducing the risk on getting ear infections....

1/4 vinigar with 3/4 water put the mixute as drops (only a couple) in your ears after the dive...

Is this good?

Thank you...

 

[DocVikingo]

This mixture is among those widely recommended for preventing swimming & scuba-related infections of the external auditory canal.

Vinegar alters the pH balance within the canal slightly in the acidic direction, making the environment not conducive to bacterial & fungal growth.

For maximum effectiveness, 2-3 drops should be used immediately after each dive, and allowed to remain in the canal for a short while before righting the head.

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. Issues related the ear & diving should be discussed with an ENT.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Aeolus]

This seems to work well for a lot of people. We do give them a hard time about smelling like salad dressing though.

Good Luck. Dive Safe and Dive Often.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

My ENT had advised me to use 50/50 alcohol and vinegar. I never the 1/4 vinegar, 3/4 water thing before...

The alcohol helps to dry out the ear canal, and the vinegar does what doc said...

For educational purposes only...

 

[Scubamedicjoe]

I use 50% water and 50% vinegar then 25% alcohol then rest water works good for me
again works for me no dr but works no ear infections !!!also drys ear out some too !!

 

[Epinephelus]

The most popular homebrew around here is approximately 50% rubbing alcohol, 25% vinegar and 25% hydrogen peroxide. If the number of folks who swear by that mix is any indicator it's a good one.
I use it and have never had any ear infection problems.
E.

 

[DocVikingo]

... ingredients in such home brews.

Alcohol & hydrogen peroxide will dissolve the cerumen (ear wax) in the external auditory canal and possibly be excessively drying, leaving the canal prone to infection. Remember, this is on top of the drying action of repeated soakings of the ear in water while diving. IMHO, neither are essential to the mix or even desirable. If used, they should be in relatively small amounts.

You might want to try placing a few drops of mineral oil or lanolin into a well dried ear canal before each dive to see if it helps.

If you want to go with a post-dive mix, I suggest trying a mixture of 1/3 white vinegar & 2/3 distilled water.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[ouachita]

Alcohol & hydrogen peroxide will dissolve the cerumen (ear wax) in the external auditory canal and possibly be excessively drying, leaving the canal prone to infection

Exactly what my ENT said. I use just a splash of alcohol in the mixture. It has really worked well but stinks to high heaven.

 

[pipedope]

Some of us tend to have *way* too much ear wax.
I have to clear it out now and then or it gets impacted against my eardrum during a dive and causes lots of suffering, pain and loss of hearing.

Of course, washing out the ears is a good idea given the condition of lots of the water I end up in.
Maybe I will have less trouble now that I am giving up the commercial diving in storm drain pipes.

 

[DeepSeaFox]

Rather than making a home brew there is a product that many swimmers use called Aquaear (costs about A$12 in Australia) and one bottle lasts for about 50-100 dives.

Why risk your ears for the sake of a few $$ ?