Diving with a history of eardrum ruptures.

[Nathan Moulds]

I empathise with the desire not to follow that stern warning, really I do.

(No offence to the doc., I am not qualified to comment on the accuracy of the advice)

I am seeking an ENT surgeon back in the UK right now with whom I hope to discuss my persistent tympanic perforation / tympanoplasty.

I have followed all medical advice given here to date of 'wait' which has not worked and now local (Cairo) ENT concur that tympanoplasty is required.

They say they can do this.

My only discomfort is that I have not yet had any response at all from any surgeons here that is based on a knowledge of diving. They openly admit that they just don't know enough about diving.

I deeply hope, for diving is my career, that a sound medical solution may be found.

If anyone can make a recommendation of a good diving/ENT surgeon in anywhere in the UK I would be very grateful. Private or NHS.

I believe my next step will be to fly back for a diagnosis, but I would like to speak with the surgeon first about possible likely outcomes before committing to the trip.

I really do not want to have to give up diving.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Nathan,
I'd start here:

Decompression chamber / Hyperbaric chamber for divers with the bends / decompression illness, London Recompression & Hyperbaric facilities - The London Diving Chamber

Good luck,
DDM