Ear question

[rbm]

Hello everyone! I just registered and am hoping to get some info on ear problems as related to diving. I got my PADI in 1994 when I got married (only dove one time in Cozumel) and on that trip I noticed I could not "clear" and experienced mucho ear pain when attempting to dive.
We're planning to go to Mexico at the end of October and I was hoping to get some info on "tubes" that doctors put in your ears for helping to regulate pressure. Anybody know if this is real?

 

[Charlie J]

Hello everyone! I just registered and am hoping to get some info on ear problems as related to diving. I got my PADI in 1994 when I got married (only dove one time in Cozumel) and on that trip I noticed I could not "clear" and experienced mucho ear pain when attempting to dive.
We're planning to go to Mexico at the end of October and I was hoping to get some info on "tubes" that doctors put in your ears for helping to regulate pressure. Anybody know if this is real?

RBM: after 10 years without diving I'd strongly suggest you get at least a refresher couse before hitting the water, maybe even go back through the full course.

That said, equalization is a skill that improves with dives, usually. Decend slowly, equalizing often. The "tubes" you ask about are for equalization problems at 1 atm, NOT for diving, in fact, don't dive with them in! They actually create an artifical, temporary "secondary eustacian" tube to allow the middle ear to equilize with ambient air pressure - out of the water.

You can do a search on equalization and you'll find much more information in other threads.

Charlie

 

[Matt the Aquaman]

Hi rbm, my name is Matt. I would like to welcome to the Board!

 

[headhunter]

Welcome to ScubaBoard! :happywave

Try asking your question in our Diving Medicine forum. You'll probably get some great answers from the docs that hang out in that forum.

Don't forget to fill out your profile and dive info, so that we can add context to your future posts. Also, once we know where you are geographically from your profile, you may find that you'll have a whole bunch of new dive buddies to choose from locally.

Dive safe!

Christian

P.S. Due to the high volume of new posts in the Introductions and Greets forum, it's not always possible to keep up with all the new posts here. So, please help me out and send me a PM if you post anything you want me to read or repsond to in this forum.
almtree: :sunny

 

[Kayla]

Hi there and welcome to ScubaBoard! I think that maybe you should try diving where you are, because a lot could change with your ears in 10 years... theres a chance that maybe it was just something that happened on your last vacation... and I would hate for you to get tubes in your ears and then realize that you didn't need them. I had a whole bunch of problems with my ears too... so if I can help you with anything... PM me, and I would be happy to chat with ya!


Kayla :dazzler1:

 

[Bob3]

Welcome to the board, as already mentioned the "tubes" are installed in the eardrum (had 'em myself one time) and once that's done, you can't go scuba diving anymore 'till they fall out, or are removed.
Having saltwater running through your middle ear & down into your throat burns like h***, plus the vertigo experienced from the water temps makes things spin like you're in a wash machine on spin cycle.
Not recommended.

 

[rbm]

thanks for your help!
I am actually enrolled in a refresher course. It looks like this ear tube idea is not a good one!

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

And welcome to SB - the biggest, the best, the fastest growing, and the friendliest!

The problem you mentioned is the most common one seen on our New To Scuba forum. As suggested, you'll learn the skills with practice. Be sure to check that forum for more help.

I'm off in Alantic Beach NC tonight to dive WWII wrecks this weekend, but brought my laptop with me. Scuba is my sport, but SB is my obsession - and I'd hate to be away all weekend if I didn't have to?!

Completing your Profile and seperately - keeping your Dive Info up to date helps in future diving discussions. You can use the Quick Links menu above for this. PM me if I can help you learn your way around; that is - click my username to the upper left, then follow the prompts to send me a "Personal Message."

And if you're going to be in Houston Oct 16 - for the DEMA show or any other reason, you're even invited to a SB Bar-B-Q dinner! Click here: http://scubaboard.com/t73366-swampers-bbq-update-and-current-info.html or PM me for assistance in signing up for it. Dee needs to know by the 6th. I wouldn't miss this for anything!

don :shades:

 

[jkennedy]

Welcome to the board and do some check out dives or pick a good buddy.......

 

[scuba-girl]

i've been diving for little under 2yrs and my first time i hit the water i busted my eardrum from not equalizing properly. i completed the necessary 3 dives for certification and my next dive was in cozumel and they told me to equalize several times before hitting the water and take sudafed 1hr prior to diving per my md. i took a breath and constantly looked to the surface while my husband held my hand i had no probs. i also forgot to take my sudafed and did just fine. but i also dive every 6 mo or so. i might even consider taking a refresher or i know that the dive place in cozumel has some personal 1 on 1 time to refresh