ear problems

[nikko]

Ok, let me start off saying I have an appointment for the docs tomorrow. I just want to go in a little more informed.

This weekend I had an open water class that I was working with. I had to do all of the CESA's which ended up having me do about 8 CESA's. Not fun. Afterward i had a 2 tank boat dive with a former student who just wanted me to dive with her. On the second dive I could not clear my ear and got stuck at 10 feet. She dumped all her air and dropped quickly to 20 feet where she seemed to have air problems. her husband tried to help her but she panicked and mashed her inflator button. I saw her coming so swam down as fast as I could despite ear trouble catching her at 13ish feet. She pulled me to the surface (I was slowing her down though). When I came up the whole world spun. Yeah for vertigo. I killed the dive and sent her husband and his buddy on the dive and had her stay up with me and snorkel. Afterwards I dropped some swim ear in my ear. Nothing went down my throat and it did not burn. But 2 days later my ear is still fuzzy. I can not blow any air through my ear when clearing so I do not believe I ruptured my ear drum, but I am a bit concerned about a reverse block. What do you think? Have you had it? How was it treated? I'm not light headed anymore unless I try to clear my ear. Thoughts and suggestions appreciated. (other than the slow down part...I learned my lesson on doing too much diving.)

 

[Mossman]

It sounds like it's just inflammation resulting from a little trauma and will likely heal in a week or two - as it heals, your ear will crackle and pop and clear intermittently, then go stuffy again, until it finally stays clear.

On the other hand, it could always be something worse, so it's good you're seeing a doc right away.

 

[nikko]

yeah, ears tend to be something I don't mess with. I'm kicking myself for pushing it this weekend.

 

[Mossman]

At least you did it because of a potential rescue, so that's rather noble. I've messed up my ears diving when I shouldn't just because I didn't want to sit out a day

 

[DevonDiver]

*Disclaimer* I am not a medical professional - so I can only pass on my personal experiences.
I suggest that you take other inputs on this thread in the same light (unless one of our medical pros happens to join us).
If you want some qualified medical input, just drop me a line and I can move this thread into the Dive Medicine forum.

I've experienced ear pain on several occasions when teaching OW classes - like you, it was due to multiple ascents/descents doing CESAs. Whilst these incidents have always gone away, the cumulative effect has left my right ear much harder to equalise now. After 18 years of diving, without ever having equalisation problems, that ear is now commonly has problems.

I'd suggest seeing an ENT specialist, before you dive again.

 

[shmuggy]

I would also contact DAN and see what they have to say.

 

[Mossman]

I would also contact DAN and see what they have to say.

I bet DAN would advise that the OP see an ENT. It's hard for DAN to look in his ear over the phone and they have real problems to deal with. Believe it or not, pressure-related ear trauma is quite common. Besides divers, it happens to swimmers/snorkelers who dive deep and don't equalize. It even happens to commercial airline passengers, especially if they fly with a cold.

If the OP's GP or ENT can't figure it out, or they recommend leeches or amputation, then it's time to call DAN.

 

[freewillie]

My best guess is you have something called hemotympanum, or blood in the ear drum. It would happen in the setting of equalibrium problems and the persistent fuzzy sensation you are experiencing is a clue. It's a small amount of blood that accumulates in the inner ear after barotrauma. Would be the cause of sudden vertigo as well.

Only way confirm diagnosis is for a medical professional to look in the ear. Does not always have to be an ENT as your primary care MD should be able to make the diagnosis. No real therapy needed as goes away on its own but you may not be able to dive for a few weeks.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Do you recall seeing a discharge from the ear?
Precisely when did the dizziness occur (shortly after surfacing, during the quick descent, etc.)?
Did you ever experience any associated symptoms (nausea, vomitus, ear-ringing, hearing loss)?
Which of these symptoms persist (and under what conditions are they made worse/better)?
What method of ear equalization were you using at the time of the incident?
Do you recall trying to forcefully equalize during your quick descent?

The differential will likely be middle vs. inner ear barotrauma. If I had to guess, it would probably be middle ear barotrauma ± tympanic membrane rupture. Read this DAN article regarding common ear injuries sustained by scuba divers.

A physician who does a proper ear exam will be able to visualize a ruptured tympanic membrane if it exists. Combined with a detailed history, the physician should be able to get a better handle on the diagnosis.

If something like this ever happens again, I'd skip the "swim ear" application. That's good for preventing swimmer's ear, a.k.a. otitis externa, but it won't do anything for middle or inner ear barotrauma. If the tympanic membrane is ruptured, you don't want to be putting that kind of liquid into your ear canal.

Good luck with your appointment and let us know how everything works out...

 

[clpkab]

OP - I can honestly say I feel your pain - had trouble eqaulizing during dive little over a week ago. Saw my doctor as soon as I got home.

It sounds like it's just inflammation resulting from a little trauma and will likely heal in a week or two - as it heals, your ear will crackle and pop and clear intermittently, then go stuffy again, until it finally stays clear.

What an accurate description of what I'm experiencing right now...

On a side note, I called DAN to see if they had a recommendation for an ENT - thinking that I might want a follow-up with a scuba experienced doc to make sure I'm good for future dives. Hard to believe that there were none in the DC/Northern VA area. Closest is in Richmond - go figure.