ears still plugged

[kelly13]

I am a new diver and everything was going fine until, last week I did 3 dives, nothing too deep, and I didn't feel congested when I did the dives, and my ears seemed to equalize fine (equalizing has been a problem in the past)...but now 7 days later, my ears are still plugged. Every time I swallow, I ear my ears equalizing and they open for a second when I try other equalizing techniqes, but then plug right up. There is no pain, but the crunching sound is really bothering me each time I swallow and yawn.

Any tips? Decongestants haven't seemed to help. Is this normal after a week?

Thank you!!!!

 

[toni_al]

had similar experience

went to ear specialist - he did tests - prognosis all OK some barotrauma
recommend you go for a quick check

remedy - chew gum

that crunching sound - the noise your tubes make when the walls of tubes touch and open

BTW - my hearing improved after diving as all my cavities seemed to have drained for first time in my live by the expanding air when surfacing

 

[pipedope]

See your doctor, you will probably want a diving Dr or an ENT who is familiar with diving. You may have fluid in the middle ear.

It could be something as simple as excess ear wax in the outer ear.

The ENT will be able to tell very quickly.

While you are waiting for your appointment you can go to;
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html
and watch the video;

Streaming Video Lecture
"The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure"

Scuba diving and snorkeling can be fun ways to explore the depths - especially if you can clear your ears as the pressure changes. In this video lecture Dr. Edmond Kay discusses techniques for preventing middle ear barotrauma. Learn what to do to equalize pressure in your ears, teach others proper techniques and learn the safest way to prevent "ear squeeze". This talk was recorded live in September, 2000 and is now available for Internet viewing over the University's video portal .

 

[mania]

It happens to me after flying. But honestly never after diving.
It stays for a week or so and then it goes. Just like that.
Mania

 

[DocVikingo]

kelly13 inquired: "Any tips? Decongestants haven't seemed to help. Is this normal after a week?" and I'm not clear as to what your reply is suggesting.

Are you saying that she shouldn't be concerned?

Thanks,

DocVikingo

 

[mania]

I didn't suggest she shouldn't be concerned. I only stated that similar things happens to me only after flying, never after diving. She also asked if anybody else has such problems. So for it's obvious that if it's after diving she should go to the doctor.
I do have generally problems with ears so on the regular basis I go to the doctor which happen to be a diver as well.
But very often - what I understood from my doctor -

and now...here goes the medical language problem.... so pls be patient if I don't use proper words

the membrane can be a little bit suck in (is this a proper expression) and this causes the blockage. As I understood there is not much that can be done with it.
Mania

 

[Pettifogger]

Where did you go diving?

One of the guys I dive with regularly got an ear fungus from fresh water diving and his symptom are very similar to what you describe.

See a doctor. Some ear drops (Dr. Scholls for your ear) and he was fine...

P - effer.

 

[Melee]

Hi kelly,

Just to be on the safe side, I'd go see a doctor too. I had a very similar situation where after my fifth OW pool dive, my right ear felt clogged with no pain. Turned out to be water in the eustachian tube, and my doctor reccommended that I use OTC decongestants. Eventually, the clogged feeling went away, but it did take a couple weeks before I felt completely normal. Luckily, I didn't have any infection, but I'm glad I went to the doctor to get a second opinion.

Cheers,

Mel

 

[justleesa]

Happend to me too on my first dives, water stuck in the ears. Doctor took care of it for me.

 

[crpntr133]

Had that happen to me just last week. Had a Dr. appointment anyway and she told me that my ears were inflamed and put me on an antibiotic. We figured that it was because of the cold water...45 @ 20.