Equalization: Nothing wrong with me?

[KansaiKitsune]

I saw the ear nose & throat specialist today. Last week, whilst working on my checkout dive, I failed to accomplish descent past 12 feet because I could not equalize my left ear, though my right worked fine. Even at the surface I cannot overpressurize/inflate my left ear. The doctor took a look and said that my hearing was absolutely magnificent -- perfect, he said, that my nose and throat were free of any obstructions, and my eardrums moved and my eustachian tubes closed and opened properly with no fluid or wax buildup. He watched my eardrum as I attempted Valsalva and said he did not see much movement there when I did it. Still, he could not find anything wrong with me -- not that I WANT there to be, I'd just like to figure out why in blazes I can do one but not the other!

He prescribed Flonase for me to use and told me I needed to practice Valsalva repeatedly to see if I could exercise my way into doing it.

I have not had to do Vasalva before I started learning to dive about 4 weeks ago. In fact, my parents always told me NOT to pop my ears like that or blow too hard when I was blowing my nose or I might burst my eardrum, and so I never did. The doctor, though, was not a diver, but he's widely respected as a very good ENT.

Does anyone have any advice on what I can do exercise-wise to get my left ear to start equalizing properly? Should I descend in pools more often to let pressure work on the ear, or try any other techniques? I've not been able to successfully do any of the other methods yet. I have seen the video that everyone mentions and tried to imitate, but not managed to inflate my eardrums with any method other than Vasalva yet.

Did anyone else run into this when they were new? He's given me a clean bill of health, I just need to be able to equalize my left to get things going and finally dive below 12 feet!

Thanks in advance!

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi KansaiKitsune,

It is not certain that the examination performed would allow for confident, detailed conclusions regarding Eustachian tube anatomy and function.

Within the office setting Eustachian tube function typically is assessed by observing the ear drum as the individual swallows with the nose pinched off and then swallows with the nose unobstructed. The first step normally causes the ear drum to retract, while the second step releases it. Watching for movement of the drum as the patient attempts a Valsalva maneuver is a similar technique.

Based on these observations, an assumption is made about the condition of the Eustachian tubes. However, the definitive status of Eustachian tube anatomy and function can only be determined by much more sophisticated procedures, some of them invasive. These specialized examinations are not routinely done and the patient would be well aware if s/he underwent one.

Given a reported finding of, "He watched my eardrum as I attempted Valsalva and said he did not see much movement there when I did it," there seems some possibility that Eustachian tube function is less than optimal.

Considering the reported findings, prescription of a nasal steroid spray and practice equalizing appears an appropriate first step.

It is not unusal for new divers to experience problems with equalization of the ears and most of them soon get the hang of it. You may wish to re-view:

The Diver's Ear: Under Pressure
http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.asp?rid=789

Helpful?

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[JohnnyStep]

KansaiKitsune,
I often have a harder time equalizing one ear than the other. What I find helps 95% of the time is to tilt my head (as close to 90 degrees as possible) so that the ear I'm having trouble with is higher than the other. In fact, I've just made it a habit of rocking my head from side to side while I equalize.

Make sure you don't blow too hard to force it, or you will definately risk injury. You probably shouldn't exceed the force that you're using to get your right ear equalized. Just try elevating your left ear.

--John

 

[KansaiKitsune]

I appreciate the advice, fellows. The thing that's getting me is that my right ear equalizes so quickly and easily that if I continue blowing to try to equalize the left, the right feels like it's going to burst! I'll continue to try the nasal steroids and see what transpires.

 

[scratchmyback]

I use JohnnyStep's method as well and it works perfectly. I too had real trouble equalizing one ear. Try practicing it as you read this and see if it helps.

Laura

 

[TheRedHead]

I also use JohnnyStep's method when my left ear doesn't equalize. It works!

 

[pipedope]

When I had trouble equalizing early in my diving I found that wiggling my jaw or a chewing motion helped a lot.

 

[RICHinNC]

Dont wait until you are in the water and need to eq. Do it a couple of times as you gear up....before you get in....before you desend ....and before you need to as descending. That helped me a lot.

 

[TheRedHead]

I appreciate the advice, fellows. The thing that's getting me is that my right ear equalizes so quickly and easily that if I continue blowing to try to equalize the left, the right feels like it's going to burst! I'll continue to try the nasal steroids and see what transpires.

If you do the vasalva forcefully, you'll irritate the eustachian tube and cause it to swell. I equalize by pinching my nose and swallowing. Holding the reluctant ear in a higher position helps. Start equalizing before you get into the water using the pinching and swallowing method. You can hear the equalization happening.