Ear Problems

[Dawn]

Hi Doc,
Maybe you can help me. I saw a specialist on Thurs. He said I had a film on my eardrum so he scraped it off. Said just use alcohol to clean and finish antibiotics(my third prescription since 5/10) but SAW NOTHING ELSE WRONG with my ear. I told him that it is always slow to clear and I get a tingling feeling often.(This started long before diving.) Asked if it could be due to my jaw. He didn't know what would cause that but said that if I continue to get dizzy from this ear then I'll have to consider giving up diving. I haven't been in the water since 5/19 and he tells me to wait one more month. I insisted on going back to see him in two weeks. Scraping it really helped but today it feels a little full and puffy again. It clears everytime now but still last to clear and feels puffy when I do. I don't feel dizzy when clearing anymore just a little off sometimes. I'm ready to find another specialist. This guy was a referral(first available in local office). I've had no hearing loss from this. Any suggestions? I need to finish my certification.
When I Dr. says "well maybe you can't", then I know he doesn't know much about the subject!
Please give me some direction,
Dawn

 

[scubadoc]

Hi Dawn:

It is almost impossible for us to give you an intelligent answer from afar without the benefit of talking to you and getting a good look in your ear. From your history, one gets the inpression that you have an external otitis problem with some middle ear barotrauma added (clearing reference).

If there is a combination of otitis externa and MEB, then you are being treated properly - but apparently not advised adequately. We're in no position to comment on your adverse remarks about your medical care and would advise you to seek other help if you are unhappy with your situation.

Otitis externa is easily preventable by the use of acidifying solutions as drops. See http://www.scuba-doc.com/otext.htm

Most middle ear problems are due to poor clearing technique and inexperience. Repeated problems in the same ear tend to be due to some physical abnormality in the back of the nose (polyps, rhinitis, bony spurs or nasal septal deviation). These problems usually are amenable to treatment (sometimes surgical) and should be taken care of before any more diving. Download some guidelines for clearing techniques at http://www.scuba-doc.com/download/Equalizing_Techniques.zip .

Finally, getting an ENT doctor who is diving oriented is sometimes difficult. This web site has listings of local recompression chambers that can give you an ENT referral.
http://www.scuba-doc.com/listchmbr.htm

 

[Dawn]

Thanks Scubadoc, I'm not giving up. I will search further for a doctor in this area.
Dawn