timnswede
Registered
Hello, I saw some people get some very good advice on these boards and wanted to try my luck.
Some background: I went scuba diving for the first time last Monday (10/4/21) and had troubles equalizing on the way down. I performed the vasalva maneuver rather forcefully (wasn't aware that this is dangerous...) and the pain went away so I thought it worked. I got a bloody nose midway through my dive (about 20 minutes after descending) and after I got out of the water I had no hearing what so ever in my left ear and had bad vertigo. At this point I had no ringing. The instructor said it was probably just water in my ear and it'll be fine.
The day after I got some of my hearing back in my left ear, but also have some pretty bad tinnitus. I also had some off-and-on vertigo several times a day that has since gone away. Since that day I have complete hearing loss past 3khz in that ear and the ringing has not gone away. I have seen two ENTs (neither specialized in diving) who put me on 60mg of prednisone and also steroid injections in my ear, but no improvements as of now. The ENTs said there is signs of trauma to my ear, some redness and blood. I found one diving experienced ENT in Irvine, CA, but his earliest appointment is December 8th... They're also having an MRI done on my ear in case it's not related to diving, which seems like it would be a massive coincidence.
I was wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar or could give me some advice on what to do. As of now it seems like my hearing loss and ringing is most likely permanent, but definitely looking for other opinions.
I appreciate any response.
Some background: I went scuba diving for the first time last Monday (10/4/21) and had troubles equalizing on the way down. I performed the vasalva maneuver rather forcefully (wasn't aware that this is dangerous...) and the pain went away so I thought it worked. I got a bloody nose midway through my dive (about 20 minutes after descending) and after I got out of the water I had no hearing what so ever in my left ear and had bad vertigo. At this point I had no ringing. The instructor said it was probably just water in my ear and it'll be fine.
The day after I got some of my hearing back in my left ear, but also have some pretty bad tinnitus. I also had some off-and-on vertigo several times a day that has since gone away. Since that day I have complete hearing loss past 3khz in that ear and the ringing has not gone away. I have seen two ENTs (neither specialized in diving) who put me on 60mg of prednisone and also steroid injections in my ear, but no improvements as of now. The ENTs said there is signs of trauma to my ear, some redness and blood. I found one diving experienced ENT in Irvine, CA, but his earliest appointment is December 8th... They're also having an MRI done on my ear in case it's not related to diving, which seems like it would be a massive coincidence.
I was wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar or could give me some advice on what to do. As of now it seems like my hearing loss and ringing is most likely permanent, but definitely looking for other opinions.
I appreciate any response.