ears....

[bubblemonkey]

not the usual trouble equalising thread but insted.

Do you guys use unything in you ears, I dint and never had but I have heard of alchohol solututions and the like being used in your ears after a dive.

can anyone explain to me what these achieve or why you would want to use them?

thanks.

 

[eckybay]

The alcohol helps to dry out the ears after a dive. Damp ears encourages the growth of bacteria that can lead to outer ear infections. I just got over one, and on the follow up visit to the doc, she mentioned both the "Swimmer's Ear" drops that are available for purchase here in the states or making up your own mixture.

Check out this link that was posted in another thread
http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/scuba_ears.html

 

[DOkie]

After several REALLY nasty ear infections (as the ENT put it - I was leaking brain matter - ha ha), he recommended a basic solution of 1/2 white vinager and 1/2 rubbing alcohol. Works great. (smells a little strange). I use it after every dive and have not had a problem since. It helps dry the ear afterwards to help minimize the chance of infection. (I noticed it also helps with that "plugged ear" feeling). The ENT is a diver and has used the stuff religiously for 60 years. Hope this helps.

 

[Wilson]

There's also a solution sold commercially that contains some glycerin, or something similar, as well as alcohol so that the surface areas within your ear don't get all dried up as well (many dive shops have it). I use Swimear (Walmart has it). I use it every time I get out of the pool or open water. It helps dry up trapped water and keep the bacteria level down. The solution Dokie mentioned sounds good also.

 

[brutus_scuba]

Let me tell you they are a great idea I was very very stubborn about them, but the last ear infection I had was very gross, and the infection actually caused this gunk to build in my ears that they had to irregate b/c they drops the doctor gave me couldn't reach the ear, and the whole right side of my face swelled up. I always use drops now that infection kept me out of the water for a month.

 

[torrey]

I'll just say that a couple of years ago shortly after returning from Cozumel, I was having some wax build-up in my left ear. I wasn't in pain or anything, so I just got an earwax removal kit from my local pharmacy which consisted of some drops to loosen the wax and a big bulb syringe to shoot water into the ear and remove the loose wax. Well, I guess I shot a little too hard because I ended up tearing away the lining which covers the eardrum. It re-grew itself, but ever since then, I've had tinitis in that ear, which is a constant ringing. I've resolved to always keep my ears clean from that point on.

 

[bubblemonkey]

so do you guys just put a few drops in your ears or do what it says in that link and fill your ear for up to 5 mins?

the latter sounds a bit extreme.

 

[bubblemonkey]

Check out this link that was posted in another thread
http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/scuba_ears.html

can I have the link for that thread..

 

[eckybay]

Yup....Let me find it again. There's been a few lately that you might want to check out.

http://scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=161005&highlight=ear+infection
http://scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=160772&highlight=ear+infection

 

[bubblemonkey]

thanks )