different kind of ear question

[Upwelling]

Hello,

I am brand new to diving -- planning on starting the OW course in the next month or two. I have had a problem for a couple of years where the pressure feels wrong in my ears (hard to describe). I went to both an ENT and a regular doctor about a year and a half ago and they couldn't find anything specifically wrong. I can pop my ears a little bit--the problem seems to be more in the right ear than the left. I have no pain or problems when flying. When I take sudafed or flonase it gets a little bit better, but the problem is still there. I know that I can't use this board for medical advice but I was wondering if anyone else here has dove with a similar condition. I'm wondering if I should go ahead with my course or not. I don't know if its necessary to see yet another doctor about this since the first two found nothing specifically wrong or if I'm making a big deal out of nothing. Anyway I'm rambling now but I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance!

 

[DiverBuoy]

I'm not a physician ...

If you have medical clearance from your physician to dive, then you'll find out when you get in the pool and have to descend to the bottom of the deep end - whether your ears will be ok or not.

If you've already obtained medical clearance from your physician to dive, and if you can swim, and if you have access to a pool and want to find out before your confined water dives, go to the pool and using a breath hold dive go down to the bottom of the deep end slowly using the following method. Try the valsalva manuever (or modified valsalva)- pinch your nose closed and blow gently into your nose, if necessary include wiggling your jaw from side to side or even streching your neck by tilting your head from side to side trying to touch your ears to each shoulder - combine all three if necessary. Do this early and often as you go down every few feet or so and immediately come up a couple of feet if you feel any discomfort and try descending again- DO NOT FORCE IT!

If by using this method you are able to get to the bottom, where previously it hurt your ears to do so, then you may be fine. But this is an on again off again thing - with some people they have some good days and some bad days.

I repeat again I'm not a physician...

 

[The Iceni]

DiverBuoy once bubbled...
If you have medical clearance from your physician to dive, then you'll find out when you get in the pool and have to descend to the bottom of the deep end - whether your ears will be ok or not.

Hi Junko,

You have seen an ENT specialist who found nothing to worry about so I largely concur with the advice given by DiverBuoy.

In addition, of course, you must take one step at a time. Although you may have no problems in the pool you could still experience problems when you do your first open water dives.

My advice is to ensure your instructor is aware of your concerns and you descend very slowly as you leave the surface and never try to go past the pain or discomfort during any dive or you face the real risk a ruptured tympanic membrane (burst ear drum).

Safe diving! :doctor: