Ear clogged?

[Daveyboyjones]

I recently finished my open water certification dives and one ear still feels like it needs to pop(air trapped?) There's no discharge and no pain just a clogged sensation. Is there something I can do to remedy the situation or is it just a waiting game?

 

[DandyDon]

Very common. Unfortuantely, the 3 letter word "ear" won't work with our search feature. How about this:
(1) See your Ear doctor, to ensure you're okay;
(2) It'll get better with practice;
(3) But it still happens to me - residual feelings for a few days;
(4) Scroll thru this forum for the last 100 threads and you'll find this discussed extensively. Do the same on the Dive Medicine fourm.

Good luck!

 

[wacdiver]

It is a very commn prob.
Do just as Don suggested search the fourms and you will see plenty of great advice.
I've tried a few of the remedies listed and they work. You can get over the counter meds OR you can make your own.
Good Luck
and welcome to the underwater world :scubadive

 

[DandyDon]

Do use "Swimmers Ear" or another alcohol solution after diving every day. I blew it off Labod Day Weekend and got a horrible ear infection. Missed 3 days of work, too painful to change rooms without carrying my ear drops! :11:

 

[idratherbediving]

60+ dives in 2 years and i still get it. goes away in about 2 days, i just became used to it. if it hurts or continues longer than 5 days id see a doctor. it does get better though as you dive more.

 

[texdiveguy]

I recently finished my open water certification dives and one ear still feels like it needs to pop(air trapped?) There's no discharge and no pain just a clogged sensation. Is there something I can do to remedy the situation or is it just a waiting game?

You have been given good advice,,,,also visit your Dr. and it could be as simple as ear wax build-up in the outer canal,,,,once this is removed water then comes out and no more clogged feeling,,,,,BUT let your Dr. take a look and treat it. It is VERY common with most divers having ear clogged feeling from time to time.

 

[Jason B]

I used to get ear infections all the time...read an article in DANs Alert Diver where they recommended a 50% alcohol, 50% white vinegar mix. I've used it for years with no more ear trouble. It's the first thing I do after I take of my tank.

jason

 

[SoCalOffshore]

When I started diving I got it bad. My ears were clogged for almost 3 weeks. Check with an EMT to confirm no problem. My EMT advised taking Claratin D 24 hour and gave me Flonaise. I got better after diving more and more. I think you eustacian (sp)tubes open up or something. Now it is not an issue after 15 dives. Good luck.

 

[metaldector]

dive again. Once you're at depth the whole ear issue goes away. Surface slowly and you shouldn't have the problem any longer. I had this same sensation for about two weeks and used Sudifed, ear drops, had the ears cleaned of wax with peroxcide, nothing helped. One simple dive to 60' solved the problem. I'm no doctor, but I'm guessing that air backs into the ear canal and is trapped by small eustacian tubes. Upon diving the air is compressed and allowed to pass out. Try it, you'll like it! :11:

PS. This is an opinion not medical advise.

 

[mstudley]

My EMT advised taking Claratin D 24 hour and gave me Flonaise.

You have your own personal EMT? Wow...

my ENT gave me allegra-d and some nose spray that I use before the dive and I use my home made 'ear beer' (white vinegar, alcohol, peroxide and a pince of glycerine) which seems to do the trick for me.