Ear Problems

[ththooft]

Hello-

My wife and I were diving this weekend, and both of us experienced some ear problems. I'm not sure if this could have anything to do with it, but it was quite humid and had just rained quite a bit.

Some of it feels like swimmer's ear, but was also both have pain on the upper part of the jaw...her's is worse.

I would get a sharp pain a couple of times on decent. We were also up and down quite a bit, so I'm thinking this could have something to do with it. We are both pretty faithful about equalizing often.

I also tend to experience headaches after a dive, that go away when I'm in the water again. Could this have something to do with my ears?

Looking forward to your suggestions!

 

[Canadian_Diver]

My wife and I were diving this weekend, and both of us experienced some ear problems. I'm not sure if this could have anything to do with it, but it was quite humid and had just rained quite a bit.

Some of it feels like swimmer's ear, but was also both have pain on the upper part of the jaw...her's is worse.

I would get a sharp pain a couple of times on decent. We were also up and down quite a bit, so I'm thinking this could have something to do with it. We are both pretty faithful about equalizing often.

I also tend to experience headaches after a dive, that go away when I'm in the water again. Could this have something to do with my ears?

Go see your physician ASAP. This sounds like a middle-ear infection.... or it has been inflamed from blowing too hard when equalizing.

I had the same symptom, and was on amoxycillin (sp?) and ear drops for almost a month.

Headaches could be caused from a number of things, the ones that come to mind first are.... bad air, dehydration, and most commonly, improper breathing which causes a CO2 buildup. Headaches from CO2 buildup are extremely common and easily remedied though proper breathing techniques.

Please, go see your physician.

 

[TeddyDiver]

And after you have excluded/cured infection just have more practice equalizing. It's quite common problem...

 

[ththooft]

Thanks for the feedback! The ears are feeling good now. I think it's become a mental thing to get through during the next dive(s).

Thanks again!

 

[d@n]

Here's a link to a great (but long) video...
http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.asp?rid=789

It (along with a visit to a diving ENT) helped my wife a lot with her seemingly unsolvable ear equalization difficulties.

 

[friscuba]

Here's a link to a great (but long) video...
http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.asp?rid=789

It (along with a visit to a diving ENT) helped my wife a lot with her seemingly unsolvable ear equalization difficulties.

Cool link!!

I've got to remember that one.

Thanks,