Ear Problems from an Unexperienced Diver with a history of Ear infections as a child

[Kelley]

Hello!

Was wondering if anyone had some input on ear problems. While common, yes, I think that this may hinder my diving and I am concerned about it.

I have a history of about 15 ear infections as a child (without tubes in my ears). Last weekend I became an Open Water certified diver in Miami, yet have returned home to New York City (after waiting over 24 hours to fly) with some minor discomfort and a bit of hearing loss in one ear (sort of like having a minor viral infection that causes congestion... without the congestion!). I do have a bit of dizziness, but this could be from the Sudafed!

During my dives, I had a very difficult time equalizing. After I hit about 30 ft, it was much easier. But after my first two open water dives, my ears were a bit plugged up. I continued the second day with my third and fourth dives and while I certainly took a long time to descend and to equalize, my ears were fine at depth. It was only when I ascended (with a few painful pops) that I noticed that my ears were hurting a bit.

What I'm wondering is this: 1) should I see an ENT? 2) will this keep me from diving in the future??

Thanks for any advice/personal experience/encouragement!

 

[616fun]

I had such horrible ear infections when I was a kid that I have had a loss of hearing in the lower and upper range due to them.

I had the same issue when I started diving. I had a bit of congestion during my OW checkouts and pushed my way through it. Ended up with nasty ear infections. I'd try your family doctor to see if it's ear infections. An ENT is probably overkill at this point. Your doc will be able to tell you if they are that serious.

It's more likley you need more training on the valsalva maneuver and you'll be fine.

 

[Scuba Ken]

I have the same problem with equalizing, It gets better though with each dive. I saw an ENT after having a horrible time doing Open Water and he gave me some exercises and other suggestions to help with equalizing. I called DAN and asked them for an ENT that was familiar with Dive Medicine. I live in New York. The doctor they recommended was great. If you'd like his name, send me a PM.

I need to ascend really slowly or my ears get horribly sore. Ascending very slowly especially in the last 20 feet lets the air escape slowly and hurt less for me.

 

[jwilmot]

I too had numerous ear infections when I was a child. Like you equalization has been an issue as have ear infections following dive trips. I have found that the DOCS pro ear plugs have virtually alleviated the problems with equalizing. On top of that I have a RX for ear drops that I use at the end of every day I dive and this stops the infections.

Keep in mind you can not use any earplugs. The DOCS pros are made for diving, they have a small vent hole in them thus the air can escape. These earplugs are sold by dive shops and need to be fitted.

Many people will tell you that you just need to improve your equalization skills, though you may indeed need to do this it is not always technique that causes problems. I would try the earplugs and see if they help.

Good luck

 

[DonnyGreen]

Do the DOC plugs really work? To any particular depth?
I am also having ear infections after diving. While I have also heard that its usually diver error when equalizing, I am beginning to think that I have a real issue that is not related to "improper" equalization techniques. I equalize early and often, yet it seems that since I have been diving on a regular basis, I have also had ear infections on a regular basis. My most recent episode occurring within a week of my last dive finally made me think that they could be dive related. Not diving is out of the question, so I am open to any alternatives that will keep me in the water.

DG

 

[jwilmot]

They have made an incredible difference for me. I still use the RX drops after a day of diving to make sure I do not get an infection. However on my last trip to Bonaire I forgot the drops and did fine until the last day when I lost my ear plugs and did not have a backup. I did 22 dives that week. I have recommended them to a number of students and never had a single negative response.

As for depth I have used them to well below 100ft and they are like the energizer bunny they just keep on working. As I said before I used to have problems equalizing, especially by the 2nd to 3rd day of diving, these problems are now history. For $14 it certainly cant hurt to give them a try. Good luck.

 

[Bob Vincent]

Hi Kelly...

& Welcome to ...
:sblogo::colouredsmilies::colouredsmilies:

Since the most change in pressure is the 1st 30 ft thats reasonable you'll clear your ears more between 5ft and 25 ft than any other time. Remember on the surface we weight 14.7 psi at 33 ft we double our weight 29.4 psi (pressure) so thats 2 X's. At 66ft we weight 44.1 psi thats 3 X's. So look at it like this 33ft we doubled are weight at 66 ft we added a 3rd our weight and at 99 ft we'll add a 4th our weight. So the 1st 33ft we have the most pressure change.

As for clearing ears go, alot of new divers never used their sinus passages so the new useage inflames them to they are used on a regular bases. So this might even cause dizziness.

The reverse blocks are sinus related period. Sudafed normally will keep you clear enough to get a few dives in. If you take enough. But you really have to hydrate alot.

I used to get the worse ear infections when I was a kid/teen you mentioned 15 well times that by 100, so I always had ear plugs in. But thank God it stopped with age. But even now when I feel my ear has water in them I'll squirt Auro-Dri or Swim Ear in them. (always in my dive bag)

But we are not MD's and even MD's might not be able to help you because they don't know about the pressure effects. As Scuba Ken stated it's best to call DAN and ask them for a diving doc close and see them.

Jwillmot talked about Doc's Pro Ear Plugs. I've heard good things about them. (they are vented as to allow use while diving.)

Then there is the ProEar 2000.
Swimming Ear Protection Diving Masks ProEar 2000

DAN numbers are listed in my signature below.

 

[TSandM]

Children commonly get ear infections (although less commonly with the new vaccines) in part because their Eustachian tubes are small and run at a different angle from those in adults. That's why middle ear infections are so much rarer in grown-ups. The fact that you had many episodes of otitis as a child does not necessarily imply that you will have problems diving.

However, equalizing problems are very common in new divers. You're told to equalize, but not how to go about it. You might benefit from watching the video on THIS site (warning -- it's about 45 minutes long). Practicing equalizing techniques on land is a good way to prepare for going underwater.

Many new divers are so distracted and overloaded by the mechanics of descending and dealing with the BC, etc., that they forget to equalize until barotrauma has already occurred. Sounds as though this may have happened to you.

 

[Bob Vincent]

Kelly listen to TSandM she'e a Doc. And she KNOW'S DIVING TOO!

 

[into_the_plane]

Dr. Kay's video has help me a ton, I was never really able to feel what increasing the pressure in your ears is like until I watched him preform the frenzel method. I was instantly able to do this and really understand how to pressurize. For some reason I never really understood the mechanics of pressurization until I saw this video. I can't wait to get in the water and try this out!