Ear infections every year

[MB NZ]

Again, without a perforation water can't pass through the tympanic membrane to cause otitis media or collect. Water can collect in the external auditory canal, but that wouldn't cause otitis media. As DDM suggests, it sounds like an anatomical anomaly, or a chronic infective process. Why it comes to the fore after diving, I don't know. EDIT: Could be an ascending infection from water contaminants entering the eustachian tube via the nasopharynx. Just a guess, I know it happens, but I don't know how common it is. I'm not a diving doctor or ENT surgeon.

 

[rmorgan]

My physician prescribed antibiotic drops (Ciprofloxacin), which we now always carry. If I get even the slightest twinge I start the drops (In my experience, the infection can go from zero to uncomfortable in a matter of an hour or so.) The symptoms recede almost immediately, and I haven't lost a dive to ear discomfort since I got the drops.

 

[Tycksel]

My physician prescribed antibiotic drops (Ciprofloxacin), which we now always carry. If I get even the slightest twinge I start the drops (In my experience, the infection can go from zero to uncomfortable in a matter of an hour or so.) The symptoms recede almost immediately, and I haven't lost a dive to ear discomfort since I got the drops.

Yeah my doctor also prescribed Ciprofloxacin and been using them for 3 days now

 

[Tycksel]

Again, without a perforation water can't pass through the tympanic membrane to cause otitis media or collect. Water can collect in the external auditory canal, but that wouldn't cause otitis media. As DDM suggests, it sounds like an anatomical anomaly, or a chronic infective process. Why it comes to the fore after diving, I don't know. EDIT: Could be an ascending infection from water contaminants entering the eustachian tube via the nasopharynx. Just a guess, I know it happens, but I don't know how common it is. I'm not a diving doctor or ENT surgeon.

Yes this if kind of weird that why I get always middle ear infection from diving, when it shouldn't be possible.

There is lot of water going to my nose because my mask always leaks (beard), but I don't know could that be the cause?

 

[LI-er]

My physician prescribed antibiotic drops (Ciprofloxacin), which we now always carry. If I get even the slightest twinge I start the drops (In my experience, the infection can go from zero to uncomfortable in a matter of an hour or so.) The symptoms recede almost immediately

Yeah my doctor also prescribed Ciprofloxacin and been using them for 3 days now

Sure hope you're using them at least 3x per day for at least a week every time you decide to self medicate.

If not you could be in for a world of misery.

 

[LI-er]

I always think that I have so tiny tubes in ears, because even after shower there can be water stuck in my ears for weeks.

The water isn't in those tubes, it's on the outside of the eardrum not the inside where those tubes are located. It's more due to the shape of the external ear not so much the size of the canal that causes the water to be trapped. I'm a big fan of Q-tips despite the large number of people including highly trained professionals that discourage their use. I use them all the time after diving and a shower and I get in there really deep and soak up the water and I've never had a problem but of course there's always a risk.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Yes this if kind of weird that why I get always middle ear infection from diving, when it shouldn't be possible.

There is lot of water going to my nose because my mask always leaks (beard), but I don't know could that be the cause?

If you are getting a lot of water intrusion into your mucous membranes via a poorly sealed mask and then some works its way into your middle ears during equalizing, this could lead to infection as @MB NZ mentioned. Feeling water in your ears after a shower would be a different things. If you have tortuous external ear canals or exostosis from a lot of exposure to cold water, that could lead to water retention.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[kinoons]

My physician prescribed antibiotic drops (Ciprofloxacin), which we now always carry. If I get even the slightest twinge I start the drops (In my experience, the infection can go from zero to uncomfortable in a matter of an hour or so.) The symptoms recede almost immediately, and I haven't lost a dive to ear discomfort since I got the drops.

Yeah my doctor also prescribed Ciprofloxacin and been using them for 3 days now

Just to be clear, cioro drops are useful in an external ear infection, but without any ear drum perforation they are not useful for a middle ear infection.

I get otitis externa everytime I dive with a hood. The drops work great for this.

I have yet to deal with OM related to diving myself, but as suggested by DDM there must be something going on. I wouldn’t expect any unusual shape to the external auditory canal to be causing OM (barring malignant otitis externa related to diabetes).

 

[Jakeev]

interesting I have similar issues