Diving Ear Plugs???

[shocker4221]

I have recently had a tube placed in one of my ears because it was not draining and would stay clogged all the time and my DR told me i shouldn't dive until the tube comes out and my ear heals up. My DR advised that I should wear an ear plug to keep all water out but that if water did get into the ear i could suffer from ear infections. I work in law enforcement and am on our dive rescue and recovery team and at times very few members are able to show up for dive call outs and if the need arises then i will need to dive and am looking for any possible solutions???

 

[crab lover]

There are "Docs Pro Plugs" which have a tiny hole in the middle to vent the air for equalization. I have used these before and had good results, but I don't know that I would suggest them if you have tubes in your ears. Like I said, they have a tiny hole, and although not enough to get water in them, I wouldn't trust it either, especially since you had to have tube for draining in the first place. I had tubes many moons ago and although mine stayed in, I was VERY careful about not getting water in. Unfortunately, my opinion would be to not dive if at all possible.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi shocker4221,

Ear plugs designed for use during SCUBA (e.g., Doc's Proplugs; Doc's Proplugs: The Doctor's Choice for Ear Protection) are vented for obvious reason. While they greatly reduce water circulation within the outer ear, some water does enter. This water could, and likely would, enter your ventilation/myringotomy tube. This in turn indeed could result in infection of the middle ear space.

Some divers with tympanostomy tubes or other perforations of the eardrum combine SCUBA ear plugs with the ProEar2000 mask (Swimming Ear Protection Diving Masks ProEar 2000). Still, there is no guarantee that something won't fail and water enter the ear.

The safest course of action would be to defer diving until the tube either falls out on its own or is removed, and the surgical hole in the eardrum completely heals.

Helpful?

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[Damselfish]

I'm not a doctor, but I think you should listen to yours. Sometimes people have injuries and can't do some aspect of their job for awhile, this is no different. Would suck to wind up with an infection that caused a permanent problem.

 

[shocker4221]

i do appreciate and welcome all information, thanks. i know that i should listen to the doc and not dive until all is healed up and will attempt to do just that but in the event of an emergency as i've experienced through work with people either trapped in vehicles or boats in the water, sometimes the availability of divers is slim to none or too far out. thanks again everyone for the information and advice. tom

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi shocker4221,

In the event that saving another's life compels you to dive, do wear ear plugs designed for SCUBA and a hood that covers the ears.

Monitor the status of the ear post-dive. At the first sign of a possible problem, e.g., discomfort/pain, muffled hearing, a sensation of fullness/congestion within the ear, immediately contact your ENT.

Best of luck.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[gert7to3]

Docs ProPlugs will exclude water down to about 20 ft (3.5 m). Below that depth the pressure differential overcomes the surface tension and airspace behind the plug and some water will enter.

Are you able to push air through the tube? That could extend the depth because you would replenish the airspace behind the Pro Plug. This WOULD NOT BE GOOD MEDICAL PRACTICE. It could interfere with healing, damage an already weakened eardrum or maybe push fluid from your sinuses into your middle ear.

For emergency diving I think the Pro Ear mask combined with a Docs Pro Plug would be your safest bet. The mask would protect you overall. If it was dislodged or leaked at depth the Pro Plug might keep your ear dry until you cleared the earcups (just like clearing the mask over your eyes).

I have used both products independently. The Pro Ear Mask works very well for me. It is not completely fool proof. It can be dislodged or mis-applied which could result in flooding of the earcup(s).

 

[SteveAD]

A drysuit with a latex hood would keep your ears dry as well.

 

[shocker4221]

yes i can push air through the tube with no problem. my doc said that the tube would not interfere with me diving or the pressure from it and it would be easier for me to clear with the tube, he just cautioned getting it wet and the possibility of an ear infection.

 

[DocVikingo]

yes i can push air through the tube with no problem. my doc said that the tube would not interfere with me diving or the pressure from it and it would be easier for me to clear with the tube, he just cautioned getting it wet and the possibility of an ear infection.

Hi shocker4221,

Indeed. The ventilation tube should make clearing easier, possibly even automatic. After all, the outer and middle ear spaces are no longer sealed by the eardrum.

Water entering the middle ear and causing infection is the issue.

Helpful?

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.