Feeling bummed out

[texdiveguy]

Completed my OW course several weeks back,,,,,but after 2 dive outings have ended up with barotrauma to the right ear after each outing. The first time was after my lake check out dives (4)..... now again after 2 dives yesterday-- 30'/46min. and 27'/28min.. I decended VERY slow on both dives.... my left ear equalizes real well I think, but the right is difficult and maybe is only partially equalizing both on decending and accending a bit even. I had no sharp pain yesterday,,and the dives went pretty good except for a few times feeling a small amount of presure in the ears (raise-up and eqlz.) but still the right ear did not feel completly popped like the left. Feel bummed cause I guess I will visit the ENT again within 2 weeks...GEE.....a ton of time and ton of $$$ I have invested, and really love it,,,,but don't feel happy with this ear problem. Congresation//sinus//easthasian tube might be scared from childhood ear infections??? Sorry to unload on you guys,,,,just feel down a bit,,,,want to continue to dive and grow in the sport.

Follow-up: I visted my ENT whom is also a very casual sport diver himself...... no barotrauma in eaither ear,,,,but since i had some just 2 weeks ago he wants me to refrain from dives for 2 weeks. He checked the pressure in each ear and they were ok. Thats all good news,,,,but the other side of the story is that he says their are a few folks out there that just can't dive because of an E-tube problem......could be scarred from childhood or just reallt narrow. Well I am in know way giving in ,,,so in 2 weeks I will try again..... he did recommend on my decent to stop at 5-7 ft. for 5 MINUTES then continue the decent,,,,he does not know why but saying in other of his patients whom dive and have sim. problems this in some cases really helps---worth a try,,,,,plus I need the practive in nuetral bounc. control. GEE is not life fun....

 

[DI_Guy]

Tex: I know how you're feeling... I suffered a severe ear infection as a boy and had to have a mastoidectomy. (operation behind the ear)... Fortunately for me, I can dive , no problems at all. I was really concerned about it but all is OK.

I hope all works out OK for you.