Equalizing

[KatieMac]

Sine my last dive trip, I have had problems equalizing when flying. Should I be concerned for my next dive trip? Recommendations?

 

[northernone]

Maybe have someone look at it at a clinic. See if there is some wax that has shifted.

Cameron

 

[Pkishino]

yeah, definitely get it looked at before diving. Hopefully nothing serious, but just a story of caution.. wife and me went to mexico a few weeks back to dive in tulum, had booked 4 days of cave diving with protec. On the way there (flights to dubai->FLL->CUN) I had problems equalising when descending..thought it was just a small cold or such that blocked my right ear.. anyway, we went freediving a two days before our cave dives in PDC, during which I really couldnt equalise below a few meters..so, although my wife really wanted to go bullshark diving on a last minute booking, I decided to visit the ENT doctor at the hyperbaric chamber in PDC. Super friendly but informed me that my right ear had a minor infection, mild barotrauma and quite dehydrated. Eardrums were all fine but No diving for 3 days, some medicine and a steroid shot. Thankfully Protec and the shark guys understood and we rearranged everything, waited 3 days then went cave diving. Ears were fine, although right side still not as easy as it used to be (usually no hands needed, but I needed to use my nose pinch a few times now). Anyways, had I gone diving I most likely would not have been able to do my IDC course after the mexico trip, ended up with a bad infection or worse.
The checkup is quick, hardly cost anything (insurance covered the 40usd it cost, including the shot, anyway) and even if everything is fine it gives you reassurance.

 

[Neilwood]

I would say that any issues at all in equalising are worth investigating. If you do dive and have an issue, you could end up in the situation of a reverse block which, as per Diver0001's thread, is not a position you really want to be in.