DAN ENT Solved My Ear Issues (I think...)

[diver-jud]

You guys should try Ear Pro... I have been using it for the past year and it makes so much more sense. It is preventative, so you spray it in before jumping in and it basically acts like RainX for the ears... does not allow the water molecules to bond to the skin surface and water just flows out, also has an anti microbial that, for me, has made diving trapped water and infection free for the first time in my life.

 

[RGDiver]

Do you think most ENT docs can make custom vented ear plugs for diving?

 

[Andrewey]

I am not a physician, but there is a black box warning for cipro relating to tendon damage. It may not apply in this

Normal disclaimed about check with your individual healthcare provider/don't take medical advise from the Internet..., While fluoroquinolones (the type of antibiotic Cipro is) are associated with all sorts of negative outcomes including tendon rupture, it should be noted that the systemic absorption through topical therapy in the inner ear is far less than seen with an oral product. Whichever provider you see (whether ENT, family medicine PCP, Dive Doc, etc), they are well aware of the recent literature on fluoroquinolones. They remain a common topical treatment for a variety of outer ear conditions, but if you have specific concerns, you should discuss with your provider.

 

[Thomas Rottler]

For the past few years, I have had issues with water in my ears after diving. It did not matter if it was a shallow (40 ft) or deep (80+ ft) dive. After my dives, I have a clogged sensation in both ears and it oftentimes progresses to a feeling of dizziness or even vertigo. I tried using the "Swimmer's Ear" drops, and while they sometimes provided minimal relief, they never really cleared up my ears.

I have tried home remedies such as those ear wax cleaning kits and the custom potion concoctions some here rave about. None have worked for me.

On occasion, I also get reverse barotrauma while ascending. As you may know, the bad thing about the "reverse squeeze" is that you never know if it will hit you until you ascend. I always try to manage my gas and gas availability for "what if" scenarios, but when you know a reverse squeeze may hit you unexpectedly, it places even greater emphasis on gas management. My last incident was at about 40' and I had ~1k psi and my dive buddy was at ~1200. I managed to slowly ascend and it worked itself out.

I decided to seek an ENT who specialized in scuba issues. I contact DAN and they referred me to an ENT Specialist in Dallas (where I live) and I made an appointment. The ENT is Dr Andy Chung and he did his ENT residency at Duke University where DAN is located. He is also a diver.

Dr Chung provided me with a pre-dive protocol for the reverse squeeze issue. It involves taking pseudoephedrine one hour prior to my dive, as well as some pre-dive exercises to prepare my eustachian tubes for diving. (Similar to Frenzel). I have not had a reverse squeeze since using this protocol.

For the water-clogging issues, Dr Chung said to toss the OTC ear remedies as they can make the issues worse. He prescribed an ottic powder treatment kit that includes Mastoid powder (comprised of ciprofloxacin, clotrimazole, dexamethasone and boric acid) and an insufflator bulb. I use this after my dives for the day are complete. Dr Chung also fitted me with custom vented ear plugs for diving. I have the Doc's Plugs, but my experience has been that they fall-out of my ears too often. Dr. Chung's ear plugs are custom fit by using a molding process. They also go deeper into the ear canal so they stay put. I also use a Mack's Ear Dryer after each of my dives and it works very well! Dr Chung also recommended for long dive trips to do an office visit with him before my trip to clean out my ears with what I can only describe as an ear vacuum cleaner.

So far this has worked for my occasional weekend dives at my local lake.

I have a 10-day dive trip planned for Coz next month (June 2021) where I will do about 25 total dives. I am hoping to be ear-issue free!

I read the information about your ear issues and your visit with Dr. Chung. Can you share the routine to prepare your middle ear before a dive. I am in PA so TX is a bit far for me.

Thanks,

 

[thogan401]

How do the ear plugs help with equalizing?

 

[thogan401]

I love scuba diving. My ears do not. Just returned from a week live aboard and as usual my ears are both blocked. I have a hard time equalizing every single time I dive every dive I take. I equalize early and often but reach a point, about 30 ft., where I can not get any air inside my eustachian tube.
I went to an ENT in Los Angeles recommended by DAN several years ago. The doctor was very old, not that that matters so much, but I did get any help from him. He said there was nothing wrong with my ears.
I have heard of a eustachian tube balloon dilation procedure.
I have 2 questions...
1. do I need to go to a dr now because of my blocked ears or just let them resolve as they surely will.
2. is there anything I can do to fix my ear issue? What do you think of the dilation procedure

I take sudafed 12 hour each AM and PM when I am diving,
I use Flonase each AM,
I have used ben gay under my ears.
I have over 450 dives. I try everything.



Thanks!
Teri

 

[thogan401]

Any recommendations for an ENT in or around Los Angeles ?

 

[rvojr]

Any recommendations for an ENT in or around Los Angeles ?

Maybe call DAN?

 

[vreynaud]

Any recommendations for an ENT in or around Los Angeles ?

Did you ever find one?