Doctor Advice

[vader88]

I want to learn to dive and get certified, but one thing has held me back. Years and years ago, I was messing around by the pool and my friend threw me in, as I was falling I grabbed him and as we came down on the water, my own weight pulling me + his caused my ear to smack the water pretty damn hard. For the next couple nites I had a massive earache. It went away, but the past 15+ years I've had a consistent ringing in my right ear .... I've learned to live with it.

Recently, I went to Key Largo and snorkeled... I can free dive 15 ft, while I can feel pressure it is bearable. Of course I'm not equalizing since I'm down for all of 10 seconds, if that. The thing that scares me about popping my ears at depth is the pain I think I will have. I can sit here and pop my ears all day at work just by moving my jaw and I have no problems on planes.

What kind of doctor should I go see and do you think it is a serious problem ?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[dave4868]

Welcome!

That kind of advice will probably require a simple exam by a physician or even a "physician extender", as they call the next tier down. Probably don't need a specialist, but the first examiner will be able to tell you if you do.

Snorkelling can often involve quicker descents than in scuba diving and not allow enough time for passive equalizing, so your experience isn't necessarily diagnostic of an ear problem.

In addition, not making an active effort to equalize (clear your ears) and descending to 15 feet would cause a sensation of discomfort for many people.

I'd say most people need to make an active effort to equalize. It's not clear why you didn't try to equalize on those snorkel descents. The first few meters of depth cause the most significant change in pressure.

Check it out further before you get discouraged.

Dave C

 

[vader88]

on the descent for snorkeling, in my brief experience.... just to get to that depth while hold your breath, wasn't really anytime for equalizing. I know thats a bad practice and not something to even remotely considering when diving. I'm going to call and make a appointment

Thanks

 

[1amphibian]

Welcome to ScubaBoard.. You should have little trouble with equalizing, but as Dave said, have a physician check you out. I ruptured my ear drum 10 years ago and dive frequently now with no problems.

Chris

 

[scarefaceDM]

An Ear, throat, nose specialist...Check the DAN - Diversalerte website for a Dive doctor in your area.

I had a very bad ear infection. Went to a regular Doctor...he said. I tore my ear drum and I would never be able to dive again...( quack )

Went right to the Dive doc whom was a ear throat and nose specialist..she told me different.

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/

Or you can call them, you do not have to be a member.

Non-Emergency Medical Questions
1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (ET)
All Other Inquiries
1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948

 

[fisherdvm]

Many pediatricians have tympanometers that plot a wave and determine how well your tympanic membrane function. Most FP's and internist have a little bulb that check for proper TM function.

The DAN website suggests that ruptured inner ear (vs. middle ear and outer ear) from barotrauma would prevent further diving. However, a recent medical paper said otherwise.

The doctor that probably (suppose to) know your ear best is an otolaryngologist.

But taking a dive with scuba to 15 ft without problems might indicate that your middle ear and eustachian tube are fine.

What the heck, you already damaged that ear, what a little barotrauma can do to it any how... Go dive and have fun...

 

[fisherdvm]

I was kidding about "just go dive" part.

Sounds like you had inner ear damage from your injury. It would be wise to determine if your middle ear function is normal...

If it is normal, you are at no higher risk than anyone else at having barotrauma. However, any further trauma you induce to your inner ear from diving, that would add up, and make your hearing worse...

 

[vader88]

I was kidding about "just go dive" part.

Sounds like you had inner ear damage from your injury. It would be wise to determine if your middle ear function is normal...

If it is normal, you are at no higher risk than anyone else at having barotrauma. However, any further trauma you induce to your inner ear from diving, that would add up, and make your hearing worse...

I have no ear pain and hearing loss at all, just the problem when I free dive. I'm going to set a a appointment regardless

 

[fisherdvm]

I have no ear pain and hearing loss at all, just the problem when I free dive. I'm going to set a a appointment regardless

Irregardless of what you ENT might say, the proof is in the pudding. Your local dive shop might allow you to go on a "discovery" dive, and see if you can truly clear your ear on descend and ascend. Many place charge only 20 bucks for a pool dive, and that might be a good start. Once you can go pass 20 or 30 ft, that will be your answer.

 

[vader88]

Irregardless of what you ENT might say, the proof is in the pudding. Your local dive shop might allow you to go on a "discovery" dive, and see if you can truly clear your ear on descend and ascend. Many place charge only 20 bucks for a pool dive, and that might be a good start. Once you can go pass 20 or 30 ft, that will be your answer.

I've never been to a dive shop... are the pools that deep ? The major chain down here is Diver's Unlimited