Dry ears???

[Dean(NC)]

I am fresh water river diver using a hookah system. I have had surgeries to my ears that will not allow me to get any volume of water in my ears any longer. My question is, is there any way to keep my ears dry other than using a Pro-ear 2000 mask or a Scuba queen hood. I don't like the Pro-ear because I want a purge in the mask. Scuba queens are hard to find dealers. Is there any kind of hood that will keep water out while using a wetsuit?

General info...I should not be going over 10 feet deep. Generic plugs or moldable gels dont work for me...already tried them. I use a 6.5 mm Farmer John suit w/ zippered jacket.
Thanks in advance,
Dean

 

[JamesK]

Try these. Some on the board say they work great. I have thought about purchasing some myself.

http://www.diveguide.com/e103a.htm

 

[HMan]

Just for your information. The ProEar mask is one of the best purge masks available. It has 2 separate one-way valves inside the tubing between the mask skirt and earcups. It takes one second to clear the mask from water by exhaling hard through your nose!! I promise
HMan

 

[Dawn]

Hman is right about the ease of purging with the ProEars. I never pay any attention to water in my mask because it's not an issue. Don't want to worry about my mask and my ears at the same time and with the ProEars I don't have to. Have you tried the mask out yet? Just make sure you don't have hair in the way.

Wouldn't dive without mine!
Dawn

 

[Dean(NC)]

I never did try the Pro-ear. I went with the Scuba Queen hood (since I needed a hood for cold water anyway) and I use a full face mask. The mask is a little awkward to get on and off but it is really fantastic breathing through my nose and really getting a full view of everything. I think I will end up getting some kind of regular mask and using the regulator with a mouthpiece because the way the full face mask releases the exhaled air, it fills up the hacket of my wetsuit and makes me float...I cant seem to find a fix for this yet.
Thanks for the suggestions.

Dean

 

[Dawn]

Hi Dean,
Since I have trouble equalizing my left ear, how does that full mask work? I try not to pinch my nose because it's just too forceful for that ear but when I absolutely have to I can pinch. Does the full mask seem to take care of the equalizing problem? I got the hood for my ProEars, will try it out this Thursday in the Quarry.
Happy Diving,
Dawn

 

[Dean(NC)]

Dawn, I don't think I am really qualified to give you an answer. I have had boo-coo's of surgeries on my ears and I can equalize by just wiggling my jaw and a minimal inhale through the nose. But my ears don't "pop" when I am in the mountains either. I don't have a pressure problem, it is just the water problem...If I introduce cold water into my ears...I loose all equalibrium and am about ready to pass out.
Also, I am a small river and creek diver, the deepest I have ever been was 10 feet and I did not have a pressure problem. But the full face mask is great...I can talk away and my dive buddy can hear every word but I still have to listen to his hand signals since his mouth is occupied. hehehe

 

[Dawn]

Thanks Dean,
Sounds like we have different problems. We dive cold quarys and below 30ft which deeper than 25ft is better for my ears. I like the talking part! Maybe I'll get a chance to try one some day. We plan on checking out dry suits so that we can dive the Great Lakes comfortably. I do find comfort in having dry ears or at least warm ones.