Constant Ear Equalizing Problems

[elizabethanne89]

I've been on 30+ dives and since Dive 5, I've been having trouble equalizing. I have gotten to where I nearly stop breathing on decent because if I miss one foot of equalizing I have to go back up and equalize. Its become a serious problem come dive 2 on. Once I'm down, I'm usually fine. But its gotten to where I hear squeeks when I equalize because of the pressure, I think. I finished my 4th dive in 2 days today, and I'm a little hard at hearing and it hurts to pop my ears. I've put rubbing alcohol into both ears to see if I couldn't get water out, but I'm not convinced thats the problem.

I do have a history of allergies, but nothing ear wise. Suggestions on how to fix this? I have my last 2 dives tomorrow and am nervous about getting down. I've heard hot tea is good, and nose sprays, which I have. I'll try both tomorrow. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[DandyDon]

That's the most common problem discussed on Diving Medicine forum, so you're in good company. "Ear" is a three letter word so V-board can't search for the subject, but if you search this forum for *ear* the extra characters will make it work and you can find a lonnnng list of threads with discussions that may help.

Dr.Mike is an ear specialist and if you give more info, with luck he may be by to look over your particular problem. You cannot get better internet advice than from him, seriously - even tho he can't examine you. I think he will also agree that different things sometimes work for different folks, in some rare cases different from his advice, but overall he's the man.

1: Have you seen an ENT physician. If not, needed - really.

2: What decongestants and antihistamine do you take? The old standby for divers was original formula sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) but that is now a brand name of a variety of drugs. I take Pseudoephedrine and antihistamines for my allergies daily, but my dive bud who has horrible equalizing problems cannot dive without them. They're not OTC anymore; no prescription needed, but you have to ask for them behind the counter - except what you're taking may be as good or better, depending?

3: Do you use a Neti pot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ? They come in all shapes and styles now, and I know Dr.Mike likes them a lot. So does my dive bud. I have tried and tried and cannot see the benefit, but many do.

4: Have you played this video? It's like 45 minutes but more than once is a good idea, doing the exercises. I wish more instructors would suggest it.

5: Even with all the above, my bud has problems - and if he ever forgets his meds or anything, no dive. We always stop at 15 feet down for a minute or two while he works his ears out. Can be a problem in a current, but it's his only hope.

Practice helps a lot tho. About the fourth or fifth day of a dive trip, he clears easily.

As far as post diving, DocV suggests a mix of alcohol and white vinegar. The OTC bottles don't have vinegar as it only has a 30 day shelf life after mixing, but I think he suggests one-third each of alcohol, vinegar, and bottled water.

But if you have already damaged your ears from forcing them, you may be in for a worse infection. Only an exam can tell for sure, so if your ears get worse, get in quickly.

 

[doctormike]

What Dandy Don said...!

You will find many, many threads on this here, and the video really sums up a lot of good advice. Just remember outer ear problems treated with drops, and middle ear problems treated with equalization are completely different things that almost never have anything to do with each other. However, a lot of the discussions here blur the distinction, since they both involve ear pain. Sort of like dandruff and migrane headaches - they are both "head" problems, but very different..!



Thanks for writing! Feel free to PM me if you need a specific recommendation for a local ENT doc, etc...

Mike

 

[Andy077]

where are you placing your tongue as you equalize? all the way back and up in the mouth really changed things for me, practice (GENTLY) on the surface with your mouth open.

 

[a22shady]

Here is a great video to watch which might help you out

Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page

As for equalizing I used to have similiar issues as did my G/F turned out we both were not actually equalizing fully/properlly. after watching this video and speaking with Dr.Kay I can know sink like a rock with no issues. Imprtant thing to do is pressurize your ears just before descent Equalize just before your head goes under which makes it easier to equalize on he way down. Also the "sqeeking' is a normal sound I hear it all the time during equalization. I find it to be pretty common sound.

During my Checkout dives my ears hurt so bad during the descent it felt as if i was being stabbed in the ear with a Knife. Reason was I actually was not equalizing. after returning home and watching this video during nd day of OW checkouts I heard the "Squeak" everyone was saying and felt a great relief my ears still hurt during descent but the pain was no where near as bad. My problem was I was not blowing hard enough to equalize. and my ears from the prior day were sore it 2 weeks till my ears were back to normal. I did visit the Doc which checked out and other then some redness and sorness they were fine. Back to the water after the 2 week break and watching the video and Speaking with Dr. Kay no more issue's

Other things to try to help Claritan D-12hour 2 hours before the Dive or Suddafed.

 

[rickdean]

I dove for years with problems equalizing. . .got interested in freediving and learned and tried the Frenzel Method of equalization and . . . problem solved!!!! It is pretty simple to learn. Just Google and find exactly how it's done.

I also do underwater photography, so was fooling around during descent with adjusting strobe positions, turning the camera, strobes on, etc. etc. and NOT EQUALIZING until it started hurting. Now, I quit doing ANYTHING but equalizing constantly, ALL the way down.

Also, I work on equalizing every time I think about it. . . even at the computer. Start working on equalizing a couple days before you dive. . .that helps, too.

 

[ForeverDiver]

What Dandy Don said...!

You will find many, many threads on this here, and the video really sums up a lot of good advice. Just remember outer ear problems treated with drops, and middle ear problems treated with equalization are completely different things that almost never have anything to do with each other. However, a lot of the discussions here blur the distinction, since they both involve ear pain. Sort of like dandruff and migrane headaches - they are both "head" problems, but very different..!



Hi Dr Mi

Thanks for writing! Feel free to PM me if you need a specific recommendation for a local ENT doc, etc...

Mike

Hi Dr Mike,
Where are you located ? I am looking for an ear (ENT) doctor in south Florida , I have seen 2 Drs already in the last 60 days, and not have any confident on them.
I have dove 4 times , no more than 55 feet deep , and every time is very hard to equalize , I can't equalize no even out side water, so what I do is when the pressures is to much I start swallowing so it gos away , but at that point pain is already bothering. All those 4 diving after I come to surface I had little blood in my mask, so I have not diving for 45 days , and don't know what to do .

 

[doctormike]

Hi Dr Mike,
Where are you located ? I am looking for an ear (ENT) doctor in south Florida , I have seen 2 Drs already in the last 60 days, and not have any confident on them.
I have dove 4 times , no more than 55 feet deep , and every time is very hard to equalize , I can't equalize no even out side water, so what I do is when the pressures is to much I start swallowing so it gos away , but at that point pain is already bothering. All those 4 diving after I come to surface I had little blood in my mask, so I have not diving for 45 days , and don't know what to do .

Hi, Forever...

I would be happy to see you, but I'm in New York City (also, I'm a pediatric ENT doc, although I do see fellow divers on occasion!).

You should definitely see someone about that, though... I don't know any of these doctors personally, but I ran a search for ear specialists (otologists) within 100 miles of Miami, maybe one of these people can help you:

Simon I Angeli, MD Miami, FL 33136
Napoleon G Bequer, MD Loxahatchee, FL 33470-4989
Juan A. Chiossone-Kerdel, MA MD FRCS Miami, FL 33102-5210
Robert Contrucci, DO Pembroke Pines, FL 33024-6183
Adrien A Eshraghi, MD, MSc Miami, FL 33101-6960
Lawrence Grobman, MD Miami, FL 33133-4230
Samuel Lane Hill, III, MD Naples, FL 34110-5734
Todd A. Kupferman, MD Lighthouse Point, FL 33064-6720
Todd A. Kupferman, MD Margate, FL 33063-5662
John C. Li, MD Jupiter, FL 33458-7191
Joshua P. Light, MD Boynton Beach, FL 33426-6398
Mark H Montgomery, MD Bonita Springs, FL 34135-4250
Bradford D Ress, MD Boca Raton, FL 33433-3406
Eloy Villasuso, III, MD Weston, FL 33331
Mark H. Widick, MD Boca Raton, FL 33487-2768

You can also access this search site directly to get more information (office contact numbers, etc): American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Just pick "otology" in the specialty selection menu.

Good luck, and feel free to keep us posted!

Mike

 

[SkimFisher]

My ears squeak when I equalize too. Though I've never found it to be an issue. I will say that I do have bad sinuses and find it helps if I take a decongestant (Sudafed) the night before a dive and half a dose about an hour or two prior to the dive - more if necessary. I've been diving this way for about a year and it works every time.

We've all heard the "don't dive on Sudafed/decongestants/etc" - but unfortunately, for some of us, it's just a fact of life. Congestion in the sinuses makes it a real b**ch to equalize. Hydration becomes an issue if you're taking Sudafed so make sure to drink lots of water.

 

[scarefaceDM]

I have had issues with equalizing. My left tube is smaller than the right one...I had a major squeeze happen to me a few years back...it was freaking painfull...the reverse squeeze was even worse..had to call the dive weekend off. After a week my head still felt congested, I still had fluids and it was getting painfull at times...after seeing the doc two weeks after this episode. She told me this:

- Take a decongestant to relieve the pain and congestion for two weeks. No diving for three. Then a minimum of an hour before you dive, take a decongestant ( Sudafed 12 hour). Chew a minty fresh gum or suck on a halls or some sort of decongestant candy...blow your nose prior to your dive.

I have not had any issues since. I take two decongestants depending on my dive day or weekend. I chew a minty gum or suck on a halls or some minty fesh candy to help open up the nasal passages. This works for me and many of my buddies.

To equalize, I start at the surface. I do not even pinch my nose any more, I swallow and rock my jaw back n forth all the way down.