A few days ago I was talking to a diver, who was a also an instructor. He had a hearing aid on, which just got me wondering - hearing problems seem to be fairly common with frequent divers. What causes it, and can it be prevented?
Ear Problems
- Thread starter Gombessa
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H2Andy
Contributor
hmmm... i do know there's research indicating hearing loss in saturation (i.e. commercial) divers ... but i am not sure there's any evidence that says this is a problem for rec or tech divers
i guess my question is, is there really a widespread loss of hearing amongst rec or tech divers, or is this an anecdotal thing?
i guess my question is, is there really a widespread loss of hearing amongst rec or tech divers, or is this an anecdotal thing?
I agree with Andy on this one. I'm not aware of hearing loss due to recreational diving...even deco...Perhaps the instructor has hearing loss for some other reason....
DAN says correlation with barotrauma, not effect of just diving, but what does he know. DAN Divers Alert Network - Scuba Diving and Dive Safety Association
Most divers with poor hearing just have a history of too much good living (you know, guns, rock n roll, harleys).
Most divers with poor hearing just have a history of too much good living (you know, guns, rock n roll, harleys).
tingtong
Contributor
Perhaps it was just a good career choice. If I had hearing loss, I'd probably choose a job in an environment that evened out my disability (underwater). 
c r0ck 1
Contributor
from my few first dives it seems like its fairly easy to bust an ear drum if your not briefed on how to clear your ears.
H2Andy
Contributor
Well I can say that at work we have annual audiograms (hearing tests) and 2+ years at 100+ dives a year has made no difference.
Obviously divers do run risks of ear injury in excess those bound to the surface world. I do now of divers who for economic reasons have insisted on diving when they were unwell and at a higher risk and even persisted in diving after injury exacerbating the situation.
Dive healthy and take care of your ears after diving and with good clearing technique you should avoid all but the freakish of incidents.
Pete
Obviously divers do run risks of ear injury in excess those bound to the surface world. I do now of divers who for economic reasons have insisted on diving when they were unwell and at a higher risk and even persisted in diving after injury exacerbating the situation.
Dive healthy and take care of your ears after diving and with good clearing technique you should avoid all but the freakish of incidents.
Pete
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