Clogged ear after dive

[Manqar]

Did my first dive out of Jupiter yesterday. Great boat (www.jupiterdivecharters.com) and crew. Had a great dive with 80' vis

As usual my left ear didnt equalize as easy as my right ear, no biggie just took me a little longer to get down. Didnt have any problems on ascent.

As I drove home yesterday I could feel a little clogging in my left ear. This morning I woke up and my left ear is completley clogged, I cant hear anything through it. Doesnt hurt it's just clogged.

I had this same ear get clogged with wax years ago (before I was diving) and had to goto doctor to get removed.

Next month I goto Australia and a liveaboard on the GBR, the last thing I want is to have a ear problem ruin my vacation.

Any suggestions on what caused this and what do to to fix it and avoid future problems??

 

[Doc]

Ibuprofen.

4x a day. (2 to start, then 1 every 4 hours while awake)

Failing that, decongestants orally then inhallants.

We "all" do it, no one "talks about it".

Sit out and get a sun-tan until you hear that happy squeaking sound.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Any suggestions on what caused this and what do to to fix it and avoid future problems??

I'm no doc but I think this is usually an indication that you suffered a bit of a squeeze. Blood and/or other fluids are drawn into the middle ear from surrounding tissues, hence the clogged feeling.

The way to avoid it is controlled descents and keeping well equalized...you know?...the early and often thing. If you can't equalize, then don't descend.

As to fixing it, most of us have done it to some degree and it usually clears up on it's own. However, permenant damage is possible so I'd never discourage you from going to the doc to get things checked.