Ear equalizing problems?

[MoonWrasse]

I also have difficulty equalizing one of my ears (just one). Several things I can add are:

[1] Some people as I understand cannot equalize at all, I have heard, due to deffective eustachian tubes.

[2] You may have a sinus infection, which prevents equalization.

[3] When you descend, look up, as this supposedly stretches the eustachian tubes and helps equalization.

[4] Pre-presurize at the surface before descending.

[5] Descend SLOWLY, in OW dives, crawl down by the bow line if possible. Also having a dive computer I find can help, it's easier to watch than your SPG while descending to control your descent.

[6] You may have suffered some Ear barotrauma during your pool dives - I've read this is not uncommon.

Lastly, ignore the crap you may hear from others, people are formed differently and some lucky ones can descend quickly, but don't force it.

 

[JTemple]

During my first dive I met a man who said “try this” (after watching me try for 10 min to get to 20’) and he showed me a different way to equalize. It worked better than any other method I had tried.

Chotzi,
please share this "different way".
Thanks

 

[MoonWrasse]

Here's some reading on ear fear, ear barotrauma, and various methods for equalization :

http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/MEbaro.html

 

[immersed]

I've found that what's most effective for me is to equalize continuously for the whole descent.

To reiterate what Michael said, you may never equalize if you wait too long - the increased pressure can cause your eustachian tubes to get so compressed that you just can't get any air into them. Ascending just a couple of feet can cause them to 'inflate' enough that one of the various methods will probably work.

Remember that you can combine more than one method at a time - on one dive I combined valsalva (the nose pinching thing) with stretching my neck from side to side AND waggling my jaw to clear a particularly stubborn squeeze. Just don't try to blow your brains out - take your time and stop or ascend a little if need be. It absolutely will not get better if you continue the descent and you can't 'deal with it later'.

Chotzi said "I bought divers ear plugs". The most important word there is "divers" - there IS a difference between 'regular' and diver's earplugs; never use the former for diving.

You're just about to experience one of the most wondrous things in your life - don't blink!

 

[MoonWrasse]

I've found that what's most effective for me is to equalize continuously for the whole descent.

To reiterate what Michael said, you may never equalize if you wait too long - the increased pressure can cause your eustachian tubes to get so compressed that you just can't get any air into them. Ascending just a couple of feet can cause them to 'inflate' enough that one of the various methods will probably work.

Both these statements summarize the most important points to help you feel comfortable equalizing underwater. I've found that the first to third meter are the most crucial, after that I can usually equalize with little problem down to 36 meters. If there is a problem, I only need to ascend a meter or two to equalize and continue descending. Just don't force your descents.

 

[trevinkorea]

Diver's ear plugs were mentioned.

What are the benefits of these? Do they minimize the amount of water entering the ear canal, reduce the pressure changes between the outer ear and the eardrum to reduce the amount of eaqualizing required or reduce the chance of infection?

Where can I find some?

Where can I read up on them?

They sound interesting.

Don't mean to change the topic, but this is new to me.

 

[Chotzi]

I also had never heard of divers ear plugs until they were recommended by a diver friend of mine. I use Doc’s Proplugs: www.proplugs.com
I bought them from my LDS where they measured my ear and fitted me correctly.
I am still a newbie and didn’t realize that there is some debate as to their usefulness and safety. I certainly don’t want a suggestion of mine to lead to harm, so I urge anyone considering the plugs to do their due diligence and research the pro’s and con’s before trying them. Here is an article from the DAN website:
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=33
Bear in mind that, although they stress there is no data or evidence (besides anecdotal) supporting the claims of the earplug manufacturers, they do not show data or evidence showing that they do harm (when used correctly).
I can only tell you my experience was extremely positive. They allowed me to equalize easier. They eliminated my problems with having water in my ears hours and even days after diving. I honestly don’t think I’d be diving without them. And, as a disclaimer, I don’t work for and am not associated with any earplug manufacturer. :e18:
Good luck. Be careful and dive safe.

 

[RP Diver]

I am thankfully one who hasn't had any problems with equalization, but my wife sometimes has trouble. She has always suffered from allergies, and so as a result she sometimes has trouble at the start of a dive. She has been diving since 1984 and has been an instructor since 1988, working for 2 years full time in Cyprus, so she licked the problem. What she uses doesn't always work for everyone, but she always has a package of 12 hour Sudafed (non-drowsy) with her on any trip we take. She just takes one at breakfast if she has any allergy symptoms and diving is no problem.

 

[Chotzi]

Chotzi,
please share this "different way".
Thanks

Sorry, I should have been more clear. When I say “different way”, I just meant different for me. It’s one of the more common ways of equalizing; I just had never seen it before. It’s a quick blow with a nod of the head. It looks similar to plugging your nose and stifling a sneeze with a quick nod forward as you blow. I’m hesitating to say this because I don’t want anyone to blow as hard as you would if you were actually stifling a sneeze. Momma always said “Don’t do that!" :no
While going through class, my instructors showed us a few different methods but not this one. They showed us the tilt-sideways-and-blow, the rotate-head-and-blow, the jaw-stretch, etc. This one did the trick for me but my DH is fine with the look-up-tilt-head-and-blow method.
Good luck

 

[Wijbrandus]

There's far too much blowing in these methods...

Doesn't everyone just equalize automatically as they descend?