Diving with a vent tube in ear??

[John C. Ratliff]

Terry,

You're going to have to provide the links, as these are simply quotes.

Thanks,

SeaRat

 

[John C. Ratliff]

doctormike,

I agree with what you are saying; my only reason for putting this up was that these devices are available for those who have a simple problem of a hole or tubes in the ear drum. The advice is still there to explain these devices to the ENT doctor, and see what (s)he feels. I'm sure that for some there are still complications, and the doctor should be in this equation. But these have been used for many years (I think the Scuba Queen dates back to the 1970s) with success.

I am interested in the permanent sensory-neural hearing loss aspect, as I have just completed my MSPH in Industrial Hygiene from Tulane University, and my Capstone Project was in noise-induced hearing loss. My work included having a measurement threshold of 70 dBA for measuring the noise dose (this will get a bit technical, so those divers not interested can tune out here), and a criterion level of 80 dBA as a recommendation (OSHA's current PEL is threshold and criterion level of 90 dBA; American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists is a threshold of 80 dBA and a criterion level of 85 dBA). We live in a very noisy society, and my feeling is that we are ignoring a lot of noise exposure that occurs outside the workplace. In diving, it would be outboard motors, for instance, and the sound of high pressure air escaping a valve. I'm interested in finding out if there is other exposures at pressure that you are aware of, or whether your concern here is with the physical rupture of the round or oval window due to pressure changes? Also, are you aware of fairly new information about the loss of hair cells in the cochlea due to intense noise and its effects on blood flow and metabolic activity, resulting in increased metabolic activity and free radical formation. Recent animal research for short-duration exposures to intense noise shows this, and subsequent hair cell destruction up to several days post-exposure due to the free radical formation within the cells.

SeaRat

 

[Web Monkey]

Terry,
You're going to have to provide the links, as these are simply quotes.

Paste the phrase into Google, and it's the first two items.

Terry

 

[9supratt4]

I really appreciate all the comments and suggestions!! The IST Pro Ear Mask is pretty interesting.

My friend still has not gone for his CAT scan....he likes to delay. But according to Dr. Mike, he is seeing a highly reputable doctor. I know my friend and if he really wants to do something, he will talk to the doctors over and over until all of his options have been exhausted, especially since this has been a dream of his for quite some time.

 

[doctormike]

doctormike,

I agree with what you are saying; my only reason for putting this up was that these devices are available for those who have a simple problem of a hole or tubes in the ear drum. The advice is still there to explain these devices to the ENT doctor, and see what (s)he feels. I'm sure that for some there are still complications, and the doctor should be in this equation. But these have been used for many years (I think the Scuba Queen dates back to the 1970s) with success.

I am interested in the permanent sensory-neural hearing loss aspect, as I have just completed my MSPH in Industrial Hygiene from Tulane University, and my Capstone Project was in noise-induced hearing loss. My work included having a measurement threshold of 70 dBA for measuring the noise dose (this will get a bit technical, so those divers not interested can tune out here), and a criterion level of 80 dBA as a recommendation (OSHA's current PEL is threshold and criterion level of 90 dBA; American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists is a threshold of 80 dBA and a criterion level of 85 dBA). We live in a very noisy society, and my feeling is that we are ignoring a lot of noise exposure that occurs outside the workplace. In diving, it would be outboard motors, for instance, and the sound of high pressure air escaping a valve. I'm interested in finding out if there is other exposures at pressure that you are aware of, or whether your concern here is with the physical rupture of the round or oval window due to pressure changes? Also, are you aware of fairly new information about the loss of hair cells in the cochlea due to intense noise and its effects on blood flow and metabolic activity, resulting in increased metabolic activity and free radical formation. Recent animal research for short-duration exposures to intense noise shows this, and subsequent hair cell destruction up to several days post-exposure due to the free radical formation within the cells.

SeaRat

That does sound interesting...! I'm a pediatric ENT doc, so I don't do a lot with age related, metabolic or noise related hearing problems. I have heard about pharmaceutical approaches to protecting the inner ear hair cells from damage after exposure, but I'm not up on it enough to say more than that...

However, you are right to be concerned about this sort of injury. Actual inner ear trauma is pretty rare, although most people will get a temporary threshold shift when exposed to prolonged loud sounds (like the night after being in a dance club). Permanent traumatic hearing loss is usually from a brief, very strong pressure wave (as in an explosion, or occasionally seen in artillery personnel who don't wear protection). Sometimes this is limited to 6 kHz (the "noise notch", related to the position of the 6 kHz receptors in relation to the oval window...


Mike