Ear pressure post dive

[Krista Mines]

I did my OW this past weekend, I noticed after each dive my right ear felt full and had some pressure. More annoying than painful. I cleared constantly through the dive, but right doesn’t clear as well as left. Now after my last 50’ dive it’s fairly uncomfortable. Through that dive it felt fine, cleared via valsalva even when I didn’t feel like I needed to. ive been taking Sudafed, swimmers ear, and a heating pad to try to release the pressure. Is this a normal thing? Are there any sure fire ways to get the pressure to release that a newbie might not know?
never had issues with my ears before.

 

[Jake 10]

There are lots of posts talking about similar issues. You can do a search for ear, ear infection, equalizing, and so forth in SB.
Here is one example; https://www.scubaboard.com/community/posts/2207701/
And one more: https://www.scubaboard.com/community/posts/9418089/
https://www.makospearguns.com/Ear-Shield-Water-Repellent-Ear-Spray-p/wres.htm

 

[johndiver999]

Chances are you didn't clear as often and as quickly as you should have. This can result in a middle ear hickey where fluids were sucked out of tissue into this vacuum. The tissue can be inflamed and sore.

My non-medical advice is to try to clear more frequently on future dives and strive to feel zero discomfort or even significant pressure, but for now, stop checking if you can equalize - it just stresses the area and take some ibuprofen to help reduce inflammation. when I get that, after a few days of diving, I also take some Sudafed help things dry out and drain.

If it does not resolve quickly or you get dizzy etc. get to a doctor right away.

 

[Angelo Farina]

My suggestion is to get rid of the crap Valsalva equalizing technique.
It is by far the worst method, and poses some serious risks.
Take your time searching and experimenting the better method working FOR YOU.
We are not all built the same, and the method which is optimal for you is probably different from my preferred one.
I suggest you search on the DAN website for a list of the best equalization techniques. Here I just name a few of them, but there are many more: Toynbee, Frenzel, Marcante-Odaglia, BTV.
The last one is the one I use mostly... But, as said, you should find the best method for you.
Which definitely is NOT Valsalva, from what you did already experience...

 

[diver-jud]

The heaviness/blocked/pressure feeling is usually linked to trapped water in the ear canal... the alcohol/glycerin/vinegar drying agents tend to help after a dive but using a product like Ear Pro helps me avoid the problems by using it before getting in the water. Also I think the alcohol drops are tough on the ear skin and dry my ears out really bad.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I feel like equalizing is usually pretty hard for newer diver's. It was for me. I would forget to take my time, move slow, and equalize often. It's hard, there's just so much going on it's easy to forget.

It's one of those things that gets better with time... so do the research, ask the questions, but at the end of the day it really just takes experience.

I thought I wouldn't be able to dive because I had so many sinus / ear issues, and now it's second nature. Good luck.

 

[Mr. Ed]

Came from ear, nose throat doctor this morning to address water not draining from behind my eardrum. The water eventually drained out but it took about two weeks. I was told not to dive beyond 30 feet because of my particular circumstances.

I plan to resume certification training next week, I'm concerned about ear pressure pain again until I know I can depressurize accurately.

 

[GreggS]

I have a similar problem with water draining from my ears. I use Ear Shield, which coats the ear canal with oils. The water drains from my ears immediately upon surfacing. Your LDS may carry it or you can buy it on Amazon. I've also stopped using the Valsalva method to equalize since I've learned to equalize with my jaw. It took a while to figure it out, but it is well worth the effort to learn. As Angelo said, it can be dangerous using it. I think half of my ear problems were caused by using that method.

 

[tursiops]

cleared via valsalva

My suggestion is to get rid of the crap Valsalva equalizing technique.
It is by far the worst method, and poses some serious risks.

How so? He requested monoclonal antibodies the day after he tested positive. Should he have requested them before he tested positive?

I've also stopped using the Valsalva method to equalize since I've learned to equalize with my jaw

I guess I'm lucky. Valsalva just doesn't work for me, so I use Lowry or Toynbee, and would love to improve my Frenzel. I do not even teach Valsalva; it is too dangerous. Anyone who CAN use Valsalva can also use Lowry or Toynbee, with less danger. So I squeeze my nose, swallow while pressurizing using my tongue, and do it almost continuously during the first part of the descent.

https://dan.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SmartGuide_Ears_2017_LoRes.pdf

6 Methods to Equalize Your Ears

All methods for equalizing your ears are simply ways to open the lower ends of your Eustachian tubes, so air can enter.

dan.org

 

[GreggS]

I guess I'm lucky. Valsalva just doesn't work for me, so I use Lowry or Toynbee, and would love to improve my Frenzel. I do not even teach Valsalva; it is too dangerous. Anyone who CAN use Valsalva can also use Lowry or Toynbee, with less danger. So I squeeze my nose, swallow while pressurizing using my tongue, and do it almost continuously during the first part of the descent.

https://dan.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SmartGuide_Ears_2017_LoRes.pdf

6 Methods to Equalize Your Ears

All methods for equalizing your ears are simply ways to open the lower ends of your Eustachian tubes, so air can enter.

dan.org

The best part of doing it with my jaw now is that I don't even have to touch my nose. If I feel the slightest bit of pressure on my ear, I just move my jaw and I'm equalized. I don't know why it took me so long to figure it out, but I am so glad I finally did.