Ear infections every year

[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?

 

[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

 

[Tycksel]

Updates. Been using vented earplugs (hydroseals) every dive for 1,5 months + flushing ears with fresh water, adding ear beer, using hood and using ear dryer. Still got 1 middle ear infection to my left and outer ear infection to my right...

I don't know do these plugs help anything. Maybe there's not that much water entering to my ears but I have to adjust plugs very often during dive, because they doesn't stay on. I ordered 3 different sizes, and these medium ones fits the best, but not perfectly.

Also tried that ear pro mask for few dives, but that was annoying as hell. Ears were flooding with water and every exhale I heard loud gurgling sound, which almost made me crazy.

What could I try next? Is there any pre dive drops that work?

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

adding ear beer,

What do make your ear beer out of?

I use 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar. If I don't use Ear beer, I get ear infections from freshwater spring diving.

 

[Tycksel]

What do make your ear beer out of?

I use 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar. If I don't use Ear beer, I get ear infections from freshwater spring diving.

I was originally using 45% rubbing alcohol, 45% vinegar and 10% glycerin mix for few months. Now I added maybe 10-15% of distilled water to that mix, because old mix started to burn my ears like hell. Don't know do I use ear beer too often then? I dive usually 6 days a week and 2 dives/day. I use ear beer after every dive, so around 2 times/day

 

[Winthrow]

I have to adjust plugs very often during dive, because they doesn't stay on. I ordered 3 different sizes, and these medium ones fits the best, but not perfectly.

Well this is a problem right here if not THE problem. Unless you've got a really screwy shaped ear canal, those vented plugs should fit right in there snug and not need to be adjusted. Since you ARE adjusting them, then water's going to get in through the broken seal and defeat the entire purpose of them.

I suggest you read up on the proper method of inserting them and have someone look at how they're in your ears and see if you're messing it up. It's not hard to get it right but it's not hard to get it wrong either.