Ear problems

[bdavey]

I'm off to the Maldives in a few weeks & would like to get my open water cert this time.
I tried a few years ago but after 3 dives had to stop because of right ear ache due to the bubbles going past & i'm guessing the constant change of pressure as they did so. I tried changing the position of my head but didn't work.
I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to stop this happening like ear caps or similar that still enable the ears to be equalised.
Thanks

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I don't think the bubbles going by your ear was the problem. Ear problems are due to inner and middle ear pressure, and you probably did not equalize your ears properly. You may have had some congestion, you may have sinus and ear spaces that by reason of size and shape may clearing more difficult, but your problem was not from bubbles outisde your ear. Review with your instructor the various ear equalization methods. Equalize early and oftern and gently. You should be fine.
DivemasterDennis

 

[Water Boy76]

Many people take some Sudafed before dives to help clear your sinuses as a precaution.

 

[iamrushman]

perhaps..you might try clearing your ears a few times the day before and before you enter the water.........kind of warming them up so to say.

 

[sphyrnidus]

But as your going to the Maldives beware of all the plankton in the water. Those animal love ears. So not only the internal ear needs care, the outer channel too. So rinsing after every dive is a must!

 

[Searcaigh]

Many people take some Sudafed before dives to help clear your sinuses as a precaution.

Sudafed is not recommended, you could end up with a reverse block when it wears off.

If you are congested don't dive.

Make sure you can clear your ears on the surface before going under water, then clear them every foot or two as you descend. IF you can't equalise then ascend a few feet then try again.

 

[doctormike]

Lucky! I heard the Maldives are awesome...

LOTS of confusion about this stuff, and a VERY common question. So common, that I wrote this up to help...

Also, this page is useful as well.

Dive safe!

Mike

 

[bdavey]

Thanks for all your replies.
Mike I haven't fully read all the stuff yet but will later.
I don't normally have problems equalising & I have a similar problem with my right ear if I go out walking on a gusty windy day in that I just get ear ache, but if it's a constant wind I don't have any problem.
Normally to try & prevent it on a walk I just pull a hat down over my ears & was wondering if doing something similar for diving might help.
I was looking at the IST Pro Ear Mask but while most people say that the ear pieces are great, quite a few have said that the mask itself isn't very good.

 

[doctormike]

Thanks for all your replies.
Mike I haven't fully read all the stuff yet but will later.
I don't normally have problems equalising & I have a similar problem with my right ear if I go out walking on a gusty windy day in that I just get ear ache, but if it's a constant wind I don't have any problem.
Normally to try & prevent it on a walk I just pull a hat down over my ears & was wondering if doing something similar for diving might help.
I was looking at the IST Pro Ear Mask but while most people say that the ear pieces are great, quite a few have said that the mask itself isn't very good.

Yup, people tend to just assume that all symptoms that are centered around the ear are somehow related, but that's not the case.

Swimmer's ear and middle ear barotrauma are both "ear" problems in the same way that migraine headaches and dandruff are both "head" problems.

Seriously, this stuff gets asked all the time. I'm always happy to answer specific questions once the basics are covered, here or by PM. But please read the stickys first.

Dive safe!

Mike

 

[boulderjohn]

Sudafed is not recommended, you could end up with a reverse block when it wears off.

If you are congested don't dive.

Make sure you can clear your ears on the surface before going under water, then clear them every foot or two as you descend. IF you can't equalise then ascend a few feet then try again.

There is a difference between diving with congestion (not a good idea) and using a drug of this kind to open up passages and make equalizing easier. This article by DAN talks about medications in general and has this section on Sudafed:

Pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in Sudafed(r), is a commonly used decongestant by divers. A recent study* highlighted its effectiveness. The study compared pseudoephedrine to a placebo in its ability to prevent middle ear squeeze in novice divers. It concluded that a 60-milligram dose of pseudoephedrine administered 30 minutes before the dive was effective. This study was conducted to a depth of 40 feet / 12 meters, with objective data gathered only through otologic (ear) exams. Symptoms of side effects were collected in a questionnaire.