Equalizing for kids

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Children at that age sometimes have very small diameter eustachian tubes -- This may be the cause.

 

[scubaozy]

Well, not being able to equalize at 12 years old seems quite odd to me. Usually children learn spontaneous to equalize around 3-4 years, as soon as they are asked to play the game of retrieving toys form the bottom of the pool.
Their eardrums are very delicate, and they start aching at just 1- 1.5 m depth.
So, if at 12 years he is not able to equalize spontaneously, there is a serious risk that there is some medical problem, and you should have him evaluated by an ENT expert of diving and equalization.
Only after having assessed the lack of any physiological problem you can try some exercise in the pool.
I would avoid forcing equalization without a medical exam.

Otovent is a medical tool actually invented to help children to clear their ears, that is the reason most of the packaging have child images on. Pressure of the balloon is calibrated to avoid injury. You can safely use it and it will help you to do diagnostics. It is much harder with children usually as we have to rely on what a young child telling us what he/she feels. With balloon inflating or deflating, you can see whether they can do it or not. I also do not recommend dry valsalva on land(I avoid this my self) but you can use toynbee with otovent.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Having worked with a number of kids and adults who have had issues, I agree with Angelo. No more pool or trying to get through this without having an ENT check him.
If I was the instructor, at this point I'd stop the instruction and insist on a medical clearance before continuing. Not worth the risk of getting someone injured.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

No more pool or trying to get through this without having an ENT check him.
If I was the instructor, at this point I'd stop the instruction and insist on a medical clearance before continuing.

Exactly right.

 

[dmaziuk]

I agree and the weird thing is that more often than not he can clear his ears just fine on the surface, sitting here watching TV he could just do it again.. but as soon as he's in the water he has issues - especially with his left ear.

Well the usual advice is to start doing it *before* there are issues. But anyway, I'd get an advice from an actual doctor (DAN should know of ones familiar with diving) rather than some posts on The Internet.

 

[scubaozy]

ENT specialist from DAN recommends otovent. Every dive professional should have this tool.
Please watch from 1:29:19. Actually it would make sense to watch it all.

 

[Scuba Client]

I agree and the weird thing is that more often than not he can clear his ears just fine on the surface, sitting here watching TV he could just do it again.. but as soon as he's in the water he has issues - especially with his left ear. Today at the pool he was able to clear once in the water, shortly after we arrived, then not again (under water) the rest of the time there. A few minutes after getting out of the pool, walking to the car he was able to do it fine.

So I'm hoping it's not medical because he can obviously do it, but I simply can't figure out why one place is working and the other isn't.

EarShield