Deaf Ears after Diving

[alexasigno]

Hi to you all,
Well im new to diving (14dives) and have just finished my AOW, and have just done two wreck dives on HMAS Swan which was good.

However, every dive i have done i have had a slight nose bleed, which i dont think is anything to worry about. I presume its to do with me having my nose broke around 5 times.

But the annoying thing is! After diving, my ears continue to pop for the next 3-4 days, they dont really ache at all, just slight hearing loss and the need to keep equalising so to speak.

I am pre-equalising before going under, and equalise at least every metre if not more, i dont think that im equalising too hard either. But this is really annoying as it stops me from diving as much as i would like.

Any advice would be great
Thanks Alex

 

[rmediver2002]

It sound like it could be fluid in your middle ear, have you ever had any pressure or pain even though you were clearing?

It is possible that you have a physiological problem that makes transfer of air through the eustacian tube more difficult.

Have you ever spoken with an ENT about the nose bleeds or your ears? Might be worth getting checked out.

 

[Bob3]

I agree with Jeff, it would be a good idea to visit the ear & nose doctor, he may be able to fix you right up.
You have the same symptoms as someone that's been doing hard diving for 40 years.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Agree with the ENT recommendation as well. I do think you may be equalizing too hard, though. When I first started diving, I had the same post diving symptoms with my ears. I didn't think I was equalizing too hard, but when I started paying more attention and equalizing less forcefully, the problem went away. It doesn't take much to equalize.

 

[crpntr133]

I had the same thing and found out that it was caused by coming up to fast. After I started watching my ascent rate all was well.

ENT might not be a bad idea though.

 

[Davetul]

I had the same problem when I started. I am one of those 'lucky' people who doesn't have an easy time equalizing. On the way down it isn't too bad, but on the way up it's terrible. If I ascend too fast, I get the symptoms you describe. I slowed my ascents way down, and the problem has mostly gone away. Still a trace of blood in phlegm sometimes, but nothing major (I shattered the entire front of my face when I was 20, and have had sinus issues ever since then, including sporatic bloody noses when I have a cold). If the Docs say you're fine, it might just be that you need to slow down your ascents. Always defer to a qualified Doc though when it's your life in question.

 

[Ishie]

I'm curious about this too. I've had some trouble with my ears popping, or one will go deaf/ring for a little while. I don't have trouble equalizing on the way down; it's easy for me, I haven't gotten any blood or anything. Very occasionally, on the way up (slow ascents), I'll feel some pressure in my ears, and when it relieves, there's a honking sound.

So far the worst after-effect has been this last week. I went on a three day lobster dive (12 dives, last dive was about noon on Sunday) and my ears are STILL screwed up. One pops, the other pops, occasional partial deafness in one or the other. No pain though.

Guess I'm overdue for a ENT check?

Ishie

 

[alexasigno]

Well at least i know that its not just me!

Unfortunatly an ENT specialist at the moment will have to wait until i get back to the UK and can go via NHS. As would cost a fortune here for me.

I will try and slow down my ascent rates and try holding my nose and swallowing on the way up, as ive read somewhere on here today.

And of course will try equalising softer

Cheers for the help, hopfully i will be diving in the next week with fur seals, so will let you know how i get on!

THanks

 

[ICY ICE]

Alex,

Just curious, do you have problems with your ears when you go up elevations? I occasionally have this problem when I'm over 10,000 ft. (except for bleeding)

I had the same problem after diving during the first dozen dives; I'm not sure what caused it, but it's no longer a problem. Let me add that I continuously equalize during diving and I ascend at a slower rate than 60ft/60sec.

 

[liberato]

I will [...] try holding my nose and swallowing on the way up

That will tend to force air into your middle ear which is exactly what you don't want to do on ascent. Just swallowing by itself would be fine, though, to help open the eustachion tubes momentarily if you are suffering from a reverse squeeze.