Does clearing ears get harder with age?

[slackercruster]

I have actually found it to be easier. Don't know if it's because I exercise the muscles when I'm not diving, or the pro-plugs, or the sudafed, or the fact that I begin clearing before I even hit the water. Practice practice practice and all different techniques.

How do you exercise them? I used to be able to just swallow and clear my ears in the water.

 

[Skeeter1097]

I have 300+ dives in lats 4 years. I an 54 and see no change.

 

[fairybasslet]

How do you exercise them? I used to be able to just swallow and clear my ears in the water.

Sometimes swallowing is the only thing that works for me, so I dive with a life saver (it has a hole so I don't accidentally choke myself ) because breathing compressed air really dries me out. To exercise the muscles and keep my eustachian tubes in good working order, I wiggle my jaw or thrust it out. I do almost every day. I also practice clearing at different times, like when I'm working at my desk and sneaking a peek on SB or other scuba sites. I have had some real difficulty clearing sometimes. I never had to call a dive, but my poor buddy has been waiting for me at the bottom while I'm ascending a few feet to clear.

 

[slackercruster]

Thanks for ALL the feedback.

 

[dkktsunami]

Seems like clearing my ears was no problem when I was young. Now it is getting to be a worry. I'm 55, does clearing ears get harder with age? If so, what has helped you with your ears?

I am 65 and recently noticed a slight problem on several dives. Turned out to be a too tight hood, too good of a seal, interfering with equalization. New, larger hood, no problem. I mention this just in case that it might apply to your situation, a long shot.

 

[40Fathoms]

Personally, I've found that it become easier, not so much with age as with experience. Granted, I'm "only" 33, but clearing my ears is much easier than it was when I took up diving 10 years ago.

 

[Garrobo]

Just to add something, myself being almost 70, very few things get harder with age except physical exercise.