I have heard refernce to people who use ear plugs when diving. I have a friend who wants to learn to dive, but needs to keep water out of his ears do to a medical condition (yes, he can equalize his ears but needs to keep water out). Is it possible to dive with dive specific plugs? Or would he need to use a helmet-like mask to keep water out. Any refernces or help would make his day. He loves to snorkel and really wants to learn to be an Open Water Diver. -Starfish
ear plugs in diving?
- Thread starter Starfish
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
TexasMike
Contributor
There exists a mask known as the "Pro-Ear" mask that has an "ear muff" style cup that fits over the ears. Check out http://www.ProEar2000.com Please note I have not used one of these, only read about it, but it looks like an interesting invention.
Thank you for the info. It is an interesting set up with what looks like flex-straws from sport drink containers attached from the mask to ear cups, to allow pressure equalization and water purging. I have passed the info on to the friend. I am sure he'll want to find out more.
If anyone has anything further, please post or e-mail.
Thanks! Starfish
If anyone has anything further, please post or e-mail.
Thanks! Starfish
John Reinertson
Guest
The difficulty with ear plugs is that when a plug is placed in the external ear canal, and the patient has an intact tympanic membrane, you have created a gas-filled space with no vent to allow for compression or equalization at depth.
Ear plugs by themselves, with an intact TM, are a recipe for disaster if scuba diving is attempted.
The Pro-ear mask, as I understand, usually keeps water out of the ears (but not infallibly) and may be an option for your friend, but without a careful exam and knowledge of why he can't let water get in his ears, it's impossible to speculate on whether the mask would be appropriate for him.
What is the exact condition he has?
Has he discussed this with a doc familiar with diving and diving problems?
More info please. (but lose the idea of using conventional ear plugs with an intact middle ear)
Dive safe and painless,
John
Ear plugs by themselves, with an intact TM, are a recipe for disaster if scuba diving is attempted.
The Pro-ear mask, as I understand, usually keeps water out of the ears (but not infallibly) and may be an option for your friend, but without a careful exam and knowledge of why he can't let water get in his ears, it's impossible to speculate on whether the mask would be appropriate for him.
What is the exact condition he has?
Has he discussed this with a doc familiar with diving and diving problems?
More info please. (but lose the idea of using conventional ear plugs with an intact middle ear)
Dive safe and painless,
John
I have a ProEar 2000 provided me by the company for testing. It is well made and a good product. Functioning properly with a good fit, it will keep water out of the ears - but with a definite learning curve. It will also allow for equalization due to the connections between the face mask and the ear muffs.
Keeping all water out of your ears will be a task that will require considerable time in the pool getting yourself checked out with this gear.
Keeping all water out of your ears will be a task that will require considerable time in the pool getting yourself checked out with this gear.
bluebanded goby
Contributor
If I could I'd like to jump in and take this question in a slightly different direction ...
I have a 6-year-old son who loves swimming and snorkeling in tranquil lagoon-type settings. He also loves the beach, but has one reaction we are still trying to deal with. He is very sensitive to sound, and for some reason the sound of waves crashing appears to affect him. So at a beach with normal surf he spends most of his time standing with his hands over his ears while waves break around him.
Is there any kind of ear plug or other solution which would decrease the amount of noise he hears from the waves? I wouldn't want to try any approach that has any possibility of damaging his ears, but since he is rarely more than a foot or two underwater I'm not too concerned about compression and equalization problems at depth.
I have a 6-year-old son who loves swimming and snorkeling in tranquil lagoon-type settings. He also loves the beach, but has one reaction we are still trying to deal with. He is very sensitive to sound, and for some reason the sound of waves crashing appears to affect him. So at a beach with normal surf he spends most of his time standing with his hands over his ears while waves break around him.
Is there any kind of ear plug or other solution which would decrease the amount of noise he hears from the waves? I wouldn't want to try any approach that has any possibility of damaging his ears, but since he is rarely more than a foot or two underwater I'm not too concerned about compression and equalization problems at depth.
Found this web site:
http://www.hear-more.com/swimming.htm
Swimmers of all ages may find themselves sidelined with ear discomfort. Custom-made waterproof swim plugs are the perfect protection for anyone prone to ear infections or other ear sensitivity problems. The earplugs are made of soft silicone for maximum comfort, fabricated in a lab.
An office visit is required to take an impression of the ear canal.
Custom-made for a waterproof seal and a perfect fit to your ears
Made of soft, velvet silicon for maximum comfort.
Easy-grip molded handles make removal a breeze, even for slippery fingers.
"Right" and "Left" marked on each set of earplugs.
They float, so you won't lose them.
Large selection of splashy colors to match every taste or swimsuit. Also available in Multicolor.
Optional pop-in cords available.
http://www.hear-more.com/swimming.htm
Swimmers of all ages may find themselves sidelined with ear discomfort. Custom-made waterproof swim plugs are the perfect protection for anyone prone to ear infections or other ear sensitivity problems. The earplugs are made of soft silicone for maximum comfort, fabricated in a lab.
An office visit is required to take an impression of the ear canal.
Custom-made for a waterproof seal and a perfect fit to your ears
Made of soft, velvet silicon for maximum comfort.
Easy-grip molded handles make removal a breeze, even for slippery fingers.
"Right" and "Left" marked on each set of earplugs.
They float, so you won't lose them.
Large selection of splashy colors to match every taste or swimsuit. Also available in Multicolor.
Optional pop-in cords available.
John Reinertson
Guest
The silicone plugs listed are ok for snorkeling, as are most occlusive type plugs.
The custom silicone ones are still not safe for scuba or freediving.. Darn that Boyle's law!
Dive safe,
John
The custom silicone ones are still not safe for scuba or freediving.. Darn that Boyle's law!
Dive safe,
John
ScubaDoc is 100% correct.
We invented the ProEar and distribute it worldwide. It should maintain a dry area around your ears and protect your perforated ear drum from water BUT and this is most important, it does take a few dives to get used to the system and it is extremely important to practice in a controlled setting like a pool at first.
We have just finalized a purposed designed ProEar hood which will also add extra protection as well as allow cold water divers to benefit from the ProEars unique qualities.
For more information please visit http://www.proear2000.com
or email us directly: info@proear2000.com
Thank you
We invented the ProEar and distribute it worldwide. It should maintain a dry area around your ears and protect your perforated ear drum from water BUT and this is most important, it does take a few dives to get used to the system and it is extremely important to practice in a controlled setting like a pool at first.
We have just finalized a purposed designed ProEar hood which will also add extra protection as well as allow cold water divers to benefit from the ProEars unique qualities.
For more information please visit http://www.proear2000.com
or email us directly: info@proear2000.com
Thank you
Similar threads
- Locked
