Diving with ear plugs

[kkgodiving]

I ruptured both my ear drums last Oct. Left ear healed by itself in 6 weeks but the right went for surgery in Dec (note: right ear had repaired some 20 years ago). Per the surgeon's advice I stayed out of water for 6 months and resumed my dive in June - 7 dives, deepest was 23.3m (77') - and all was well. Last week after 4 dives - deepest was 33.4m (110') - my left ear started to "leak" in the nite. There was no problem during and after the dive and throughout the evening. No equalization problem. The lead occured during my sleep. When i blew my ear, I knew instantly - damn it - that my left ear drum has ruptured again. I have juz came back from my ENT surgeon who confirmed it and I m hoping it will heal soon so I can resume the love of my life.

I am considering using ear plug for future dives hoping it would help to prevent TM rupture. The Doc's Proplugs appears to be the panacea but please share your experience.
Anyone with rupture ear drum ever dive by sealing off the ear canal with a cotton plug mixed with vaseline?
I am in Singapore, any recommendation of ENT doctor/s who dives? Pls pm me.

Thank you. I will hate myself to give up diving.

 

[Garrobo]

All I've ever heard about using ear plugs while diving is not to use them.

 

[DeputyDan]

I probably have around 100 dives with Doc's pro plugs.

The will keep MOST BUT NOT ALL WATER out of the ear canal.

I use them because of difficulty with my ears draining after dives. They are not perfect but I have better post dive "ear recovery" with them than with out them.

 

[DeputyDan]

FWIW - Doc's makes a vented ear plug specifically designed for diving.

There are no problems with clearing or equalization while using them.

 

[Bubble Junky]

Would them crazy masks with the built in ear-muff things help ? Sorry can't recall their proper name.

 

[EastEndDiver]

DON'T use regular ear plugs!!!!!!!!!!! They can/will trap air between the plug and the ear drum and when you descend the air will compress and pull your eardrum towards the plug ,the ear drum being the more fragile will be the thing to rupture NOT the plug.

 

[muddiver]

IMO, your problem is not the water you are diving in, it is the change in presure you are experiencing. You have a lot of scar tissue built up now in your ear drums that will not streach like your original ear tissue did. Each time you equilize your ears you are running the risk of tearing the scar tissue.

So Doc's ear plugs might not solve your problem any more than reducing your decent and ascent rate duing a dive will. The slower you go the more opportunity your ears will have to equilize on their own with out you performing an ear clearing technique.

As you said, sneezing in the middle of the night caused damage.

 

[awmurray]

Would them crazy masks with the built in ear-muff things help ? Sorry can't recall their proper name.

Sounds like the IST Sports Pro Ear 2000 mask which keeps the ear totally dry. There is a tube going from the mask to the ear "muffs". They are designed specifically for sensitive ears. Might be the perfect solution:

http://www.divesports.com/IndexPages_Brand/ist_brand.htm

 

[Kingpatzer]

I would really avoid the Valsalva method of equallization (holding your nose and breathing against the closed nose).

Instead, swallow, stretch your head from side to side, and use either the Frenzel of Toynbee manuevers instead of the Valsalva.

The Valsalva works by increasing nasopharyngeal pressure above the middle ear pressure as a result of closing the nose and mouth while increasing intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressure. This maneuver is the most common cause of barotrauma to the ear if performed too forcefully, which is easy to do.

By contrast, the Frenzel maneuver is performed with a low pressure valsalva while contracting the muscles of the pharynx. This forces air into the eustachian tube without increasing the total intrathoracic pressure. The Toynbee maneuver, which is the least dangerous of all, involves swallowing while pinching the nose. This creates a negative nasopharyngeal pressure which can force the eustachian tube open.

Both the Frenzel and Toynbee maneuvers are far, far more safe than the Valsalva as neither have been associated with barotrauma.

The earplugs are good for keeping water out of the ear, and some people find it easier to equalize when wearing them (though how much of that is mere perception I don't know). But they are really most useful for people who have a propensity for ear infections and water retention problems. That does not sound like it is your issue.

 

[kkgodiving]

I ruptured both my ear drums last Oct. Left ear healed by itself in 6 weeks but the right went for surgery in Dec (note: right ear had repaired some 20 years ago). Per the surgeon's advice I stayed out of water for 6 months and resumed my dive in June - 7 dives, deepest was 23.3m (77') - and all was well. Last week after 4 dives - deepest was 33.4m (110') - my left ear started to "leak" in the nite. There was no problem during and after the dive and throughout the evening. No equalization problem. The lead occured during my sleep. When i blew my ear, I knew instantly - damn it - that my left ear drum has ruptured again. I have juz came back from my ENT surgeon who confirmed it and I m hoping it will heal soon so I can resume the love of my life.

I am considering using ear plug for future dives hoping it would help to prevent TM rupture. The Doc's Proplugs appears to be the panacea but please share your experience.
Anyone with rupture ear drum ever dive by sealing off the ear canal with a cotton plug mixed with vaseline?
I am in Singapore, any recommendation of ENT doctor/s who dives? Pls pm me.

Thank you. I will hate myself to give up diving.

Good suggestion on slower rate of descent/ascent. I will keep that in mind and use other equalization methods. I will probably not go the Proplugs way as infection was not my problem. Thank you, all.