Equalization: should I hear a pop?

[KansaiKitsune]

I've got a question for anyone -- I don't want to hijack anyone's thread, so I thought it might be better to post a new one.

Normally when I equalize when I'm in an airplane or at altitude, I'll feel and hear a pop accompanied by that typical sensation of pressure relief. I've just completed my pool dives, and I've been attempting to equalize often -- my checkout dives are next.

My left ear seems a bit sticky when it comes to equalizing. If I'm at the surface and try to overpressurize my ears using Vasalva, only the right one will pop. If I can force myself to yawn, I can easily pop both ears, but that's virtually impossible to do underwater when my body's in motion and my heartbeat's increased -- I'm just not relaxed enough.

Therefore: when I'm equalizing on descent, which is better? To hear an actual pop, or to feel no pain? I feel pressure on the eardrum as I'm going down, but it doesn't hurt. If I'm equalizing constantly as I go down by pinching my nose and blowing slightly, should I ever be hearing pops?

It's worth noting that as a child of about 3 years old, I had tubes in both ears, but I've never had a problem with them since then. I'm almost 28 now. I get sick maybe one time a year -- maybe one sinus infection in the winter.

Last night, one of the DMs gave me two Sudafed, and things seemed just fine.

I have an appointment for an ENT to see if all is well next week, but the DMs I've been working with think I could pull off the checkout dives this weekend. The instructor said I can do it whenever -- I'm not sure if I should err on the side of caution or try to make the dive and then abort if I have a problem and retry later.

So, what do you think, based upon the info I've given you? Do I need to get checked out, or am I pretty much just doing it wrong? Should I try to make the dive or just wait?

 

[havnmonkey]

Don't do anything that hurts you... Use caution. Search forum for this topic and you may find the answer... My girlfriend takes minimum of five minutes to equalize on her first dive of the day. On any dives after that she's pretty much fine and can go down in no time at all. Wiggling your jaw side2side and front/back usually helps me, also extending your head back (stretching the front of your neck) opens the eustachian tubes.

They say to "gently" eqaulize, but you could hear a pop or a squeal. It just really shouldn't be painful, other wise that drumhead in your ear could break.

 

[Scottri]

I don't always hear a "pop" but there a sound associated. Sometimes it's more like a crackle than a pop. No rice crispy's jokes.

 

[spectrum]

I tend to hear a slight squeal/wheez sound, nothing intense, like a smurf blowing his nose. On steep descents I equalize on each breath for the first 30-40 feet, then as needed doing so at the first notice of pressure. It should never be anythng remotely considered as pain.

Equalizing in daily life, during dive prep and immediately before descent are all to your advantage. The ability almost always improves with practice and contitioning of the tubes.

For some reason I used to not hear anything when I equalized either, never feeling pain suggests you are just fine.

Seeing the doctor for a baseline exam never hurts, especially with an ear issue history.

Pete

 

[m3830431]

I have more of a feeling that hear anything. Even when on land

 

[H2Andy]

i hear a light pop, sometimes a "whistle" sound, sometimes a light "hiss"
and i can "feel" the equalization right away

whatever you do, if it equalizes and it doesn't hurt, you're ok

it should not hurt

 

[livingstone]

Pushing your chin out while you valsalva may make it easier to equalize.

I always hear a pop or feel the change in pressure when I equalize.

-- Dan

 

[rawls]

I have the same problem with my left ear but I can equalize. Our eustatian tubes are not necessarily the same size. Your left may be smaller than your right. I would suggest that you equalize every couple of feet...literally. Believe it or not...every couple of feet does bring with it increased pressure. So try to equalize frequently. Try it in a pool if you can and see how it works. Could also be wax build up. I'm going to get a doc to check mine out, hopefully soon. Be patient and it will come.

 

[SmileMon]

Well, if you equalize only one ear, you'll feel dizzyness, so if you feel this way, stop, ascend a little and try to equalize again.

 

[KansaiKitsune]

Thanks to all of the magnificent responses here -- and so quick, too.

The general rule of thumb seems to be that if it's any struggle at all to equalize, I'm not doing it early or often enough.