EtD or something else??

[James horton]

Hi James, in all likelihood your ears will go back to baseline given enough time.

Best regards,
DDM

Hi SMS

After seeing an ENT specialist back home I was given treatment for middle ear infection which had started to accumulate towards the end of my time in Timor. Following 3 months off for treatment etc I got back into the water and while it significantly improved I still get the occasional time that my ET tube locks. Could I still have inflammation 12 weeks following treatment. How long in theory could inflammation still be present in my middle ear.
Many thanks

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi James, it can take quite a long time for the inflammation to completely go away. 12 weeks and longer is not unheard of. I'd say just go slowly and don't push it, because if you injure it again it will set you back.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[michael-fisch]

Maybe ask your ENT about nasal cortison sprays?
Had problems about 10 years ago, Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil. Christoph Klingmann prescribed a nasal cortison spray and 2 weeks later I was diving again without any further problems.
In the mean time he has become quite the expert in dialation of tight ET Tubes and other diving related nasal/sinus blockages.
see: Priv. Doz. Dr. med. Ch. Klingmann | Die Tauchersprechstunde

Dear DDM, why didn't you mention the use of nasal cortison sprays, seems like it should be a natural reaction from any diving ENT treating a chronic dialation problem?

Michael

 

[James horton]

Hi both,

I went to see an ENT again and they looked in my ears and suggested that I have another course of steroid spray for at least two weeks and see if it improves after a month. Thanks again for both of your responses. I really appreciate it.

Regards

James

 

[Compressor]

Good Luck James. Advice by @Duke Dive Medicine is excellent. Hope you can dive safely again.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Maybe ask your ENT about nasal cortison sprays?
Had problems about 10 years ago, Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil. Christoph Klingmann prescribed a nasal cortison spray and 2 weeks later I was diving again without any further problems.
In the mean time he has become quite the expert in dialation of tight ET Tubes and other diving related nasal/sinus blockages.
see: Priv. Doz. Dr. med. Ch. Klingmann | Die Tauchersprechstunde

Dear DDM, why didn't you mention the use of nasal cortison sprays, seems like it should be a natural reaction from any diving ENT treating a chronic dialation problem?

Michael

Hi Michael, for clarity, I'm not a diving ENT. Re the medication recommendation, you mention a chronic dilation problem, but it's not clear that that is what the OP is suffering from. I would be very hesitant to recommend any type of medication over the internet, especially in situations where the diagnosis is not clear.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[rsingler]

What's the latest for those with ear equalization issues?

Something to consider, if you are intent on continuing your diving career. It requires a bit of workup, and a CT scan, but for those with an anatomic reason for failure to equalize, this can be a game changer.

 

[James horton]

Hi thanks for the advice again. I'm not sure if the balloon procedure is applicable to me. I had a CT before and they couldn't see any problems. I also never had problems prior to my issue last year so again I don't think it's anatomical. Thanks again.

 

[michael-fisch]

Anything I recommend, if it works, requires an Rx to get.
So either you are a doctor and know that you shouldn't be treating yourself, or you aren't a doctor and have to get an Rx from your doctor.
If your tubes are habitually too tight, nasal cortison spray is one of the least invasive treatments that usually work and is much more comfortable, less risk and cheaper that a ballon dialation or surgical correction under general anasthesia.
Michael