Earplugs

[agesilaus]

I have long standing problems with my ears- fluid in my middle ear and not very functional Eustachian tubes. I blew out an eardrum snorkeling a couple years ago. That kept me from even trying SCUBA until last year we took a dive boat snorkeling trip off Marathon. I didn't have any problems equalizing down to 30 ft.

That encouraged me to take the OW class last December. No problems equalizing but my right ear filled up with fluid, making my hearing ability worse than usual. I finally went to my ENT guy a couple days ago and he agreed fluid in the ear. He put me on a Prednisone dose pack, oral decongestants and nasal Fluticasone (which I was already using). If those don't clear up the problem in a couple weeks then it's another tube in the eardrum.

I find it a bit odd that I have fluid in the middle ear and can still equalize OK. Indeed doing a dive to 94 ft (AOW class) cleared my ear for several days.

I've had a variety of those over the years and my body always pushes them out in a few months, even on that was supposed to prevent that and required a trip to the surgery center to insert.

I don't have a problem with these tubes except swimming is banned while one is in my ear. I've heard that you can get a custom cast earplug that will allow diving. And I just checked Amazon and they have these earplugs:

Amazon.com: JBL Hydro Seals Vented Preformed Protective Earplugs Aqua Ear Plugs For Scuba and Free Diving, MEDIUM: Sports & Outdoors

which are advertized as being usable for SCUBA.

Anyone have any experience or opinions of this sort of thing?

Thanks

BK

 

[DocVikingo]

Anyone have any experience or opinions of this sort of thing?Thanks.BK

Oh, indeed I do, agesilaus. Here's an article of mine from the Oct '09 issue of Undercurrent (Scuba Diving Magazine, Undercurrent Reviews Liveaboards, Dive Resorts, , & Dive Gear):

"Stoppering the Problem: Do Ear Plugs Work Underwater?

The question of divers using vented ear plugs to ease equalization and keep water out of their ears is often raised on divers' online message boards. These soft polymer plugs form a tight seal and have a very small hole, or vent, running through them to allow for equalization of the ear. Many responders indicate that the plugs reduce the frequency of external ear canal infections and ease clearing of the ears.

Doc's Proplugs (Doc's Proplugs: The Doctor's Choice for Ear Protection) is the primary purveyor of vented ear plugs for scuba, but all brands are essentially the same. It claims that when fitted properly the plugs reduce "ear squeeze caused by inability to equalize between the outer and middle ear” and help "prevent outer ear and inner ear infection, vertigo and thermal reaction. ” Its Web site includes a list of undated and unverifiable testimonials.

Only the most minimal medical research has been conducted on these ear plugs. A self-published, undated piece by the "Sardinian Institute of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine" evaluated two professional divers with histories of perforated eardrums "who in the summer made constantly 3 dives per day. ” After observing one diver for 17 months and the other for three months, no problems with inflammation of the middle ear were noted.

Another study found that in patients involved in various watersports, the use of earplugs substantially reduced surfer's ear/exostosis (benign bony growth in the external ear canal caused by exposure to cold, wet and windy conditions).

If a vented ear plug did lessen the flow of water into the external auditory canal, the expectation is that outer ear infections (swimmer's ear) would be reduced. As regards the claim of prevention of "inner ear infection," this isn't believable. Water does not enter the middle ear space from the outer ear unless the eardrum is ruptured. It doesn't enter the the inner ear unless both the eardrum and either the oval or round window are ruptured. And someone with any of these eardrum problems shouldn't be diving.

Decreased water flow also would be expected to reduce temperature-related abnormalities, such as caloric vertigo and surfer's ear.

The claim of easing equalization is difficult to support, as there is no reasonable mechanism of which I am aware to explain how this might occur. Doc's Proplugs' Web site states, "Due to surface tension, the vented plug also reduces abrupt pressure changes from reaching the sensitive eardrum which contributes to easier equalization.” I find this assertion not compelling.

I was unable to find any published reports of harm to the ear from such plugs. Provided the vent in the plug remains unobstructed, these devices appear to pose little danger to the ear. However, if a vent should become clogged, especially upon descent, equalization could become impeded and the eardrum damaged.

As for using such plugs to protect a ruptured eardrum, remember that these devices still do admit a small amount of water. Plus, the diver runs the risk of losing the plug altogether, thus allowing water to freely enter the middle ear space and resulting in pain, disorienting vertigo and possible middle ear infection.

The bottom line? If you're experiencing external ear infections or worried about surfer's ear, vented plugs may be worth the small investment. However, divers with a history of middle-ear congestion or infection are unlikely to benefit from these plugs, and they should refrain from diving until seen by an ear, nose and throat specialist. For those with continuing difficulty in equalizing, experiment with various clearing techniques before trying vented ear plugs. — Doc Vikingo"

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[agesilaus]

Thanks for the comprehensive answer. I was skeptical since it seemed that the vent would allow water in and then thru the tube opening into the middle ear. When I ruptured that eardrum diving in the spring the cold water going into the middle ear was rather a shock.

We won't be diving this summer anyway since we are headed out on our summer vacation to the desert southwest. Not much in the way of diving is available in Canyonlands heh.

 

[tajkd]

Just tried the ProEar mask with great results. Perhaps one of those would help.

 

[agesilaus]

That looks promising, if it turns out that I need something I'll get one.