Hood vs earplugs for preventing infections

[Diverlady13]

Doc's ProPlugs work great. Been using them for 20+ years. Make sure they fit. Make sure the equalization port is open.
I suggest something like a little mineral, baby, or olive oil in the ear before the dive. Coat the canal, make it a bit more waterproof.
Use ear beer ASAP after getting out of the water. You want to get the contaminated water out of the ear canals. The alcohol in the ear beer breaks the water surface tension and makes it easier to drain out. If you have small or crooked canals getting the water out can be more difficult.

Those are generally good ways to deal with the problem. If those don't work it really might be worth an ENT visit.

Thanks. Husband had decided to try the Doc's earplugs, so I ordered a set that contains 3 sizes. Definitely want to get the correct fit. He's also happy to see and ENT especially if the situation doesn't resolve. I don't see anyone specializing in dive medicine, but there is an ENT in town that is a scuba diver, so perhaps he'll have a helpful perspective if the issue persists.

 

[BoltSnap]

the best way to keep the water out

You just don't go into the water.

Again, this a medical issue that should be addressed by going to the specialist.

 

[BoltSnap]

I don't see anyone specializing in dive medicine, but there is an ENT in town that is a scuba diver, so perhaps he'll have a helpful perspective if the issue persists.

Contact DAN on their "information" line and they will help you find one.

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Is this salt water diving? I'm surprised; I have a kid who gets an ear infection in freshwater. Every. Single. Time.

But not in seawater or chlorinated pools.

There are reasons not to use 70% ethanol, but that's always worked for me.

 

[GameChanger]

I have finally solved my ear issues while diving.
1. Earplugs (Doc's or have your ENT order custom-molded vented earplugs for a perfect and snug fit)
2. Mack's Ear Dryer. I use it after every dive. I store it in my dry bag. It works wonders! (My ENT also said NOT to use the "Swimmer's Ear" drops sold over the counter)
» Ear Dryer

Check out my post on how I solved my chronic ear issues:
DAN ENT Solved My Ear Issues (I think...)

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

My husband has been having a lot of trouble with ear infections. He's wondering if wearing a hood will help keep water out of his ears at all. He has no trouble equalizing and does use either ear beer or OTC drops, but he still has trouble with ear infections.

I've suggested the Doc's Pro Plugs to him (which I think I'll buy for myself), but he'd like to know if a hood would potentially help him at all. We travel to dive about every 6 weeks or so, but also are on the volunteer dive team at our aquarium, so do dive at least once each week. Unfortunately, this seems to be causing him to have a nearly perpetual, though mild, ear infection.

Just to clarify, is this a middle ear infection or an external ear canal infection?

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Diverlady13]

Just to clarify, is this a middle ear infection or an external ear canal infection?

Best regards,
DDM

I'm not sure, actually and I'd hate to guess. I asked my husband, but he doesn't remember what the doctor said (if the doctor even specified). He does have a pending appointment with an ENT, but couldn't get in for a few weeks. That's a bit frustrating as ear infections can get pretty nasty. I'd hate for his problem to become worse just waiting to see a doctor. Still, I'm glad for this because maybe the ENT will have better insight as to what the real root cause is. This morning my husband did say that he feels like there is water trapped in the ear and that he had some drainage this morning. That seems odd to me. I do wonder if some of this is allergy related. It's been a bad year here for allergens. Hopefully the doctor can address that as well since it can take 4-6 months to get into an allergist in our area.

 

[Diverlady13]

I have finally solved my ear issues while diving.
1. Earplugs (Doc's or have your ENT order custom-molded vented earplugs for a perfect and snug fit)
2. Mack's Ear Dryer. I use it after every dive. I store it in my dry bag. It works wonders! (My ENT also said NOT to use the "Swimmer's Ear" drops sold over the counter)
» Ear Dryer

Check out my post on how I solved my chronic ear issues:
DAN ENT Solved My Ear Issues (I think...)

I saw that ear dryer and wondered if it was any good. I might like it for myself for the times when my ears get a bit wet.

You're the second person who has said their ENT said not to use the drops. I'll pass that info on. The drops don't help me at all as most of the time I can't get them to actually penetrate. Ear beer has worked better for me, but then I don't need to use it most of the time.

Thanks for the link...I'll read it!

 

[ScubaJCBS]

I use to have that problem quite often so I started using Ear Shield that fixed mine I feel.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

I’m surprised that no one has mentioned an external ear squeeze due to ear plugs and/or a latex hood. In the old days of scuba, when we had rubber dry suits, the hood could form a seal around the ear, making it an external space subject to hydrostatic pressures. As the pressure increased, the only way of relieving it was for the ear drum to rupture outward. The same goes for regular ear plugs, which were a taboo for diving in the 1960-80s. Vented plugs would work, but then you have some water getting inside to the external ear too. There used to be a product called a dry ear for diving, which was a pair of sealed muffs over the ear, but with a tube that hooked into the ambient air side of a second stage on a regulator. That way, equalized air was present on the ear.

DDM above asked a very pertinent question, as to whether this is an external or middle ear infection. The causes and preventive measures are very different for each.

SeaRat

PS, I should add that in the “old days” when a dry suit was worn, the mask skirt was worn under the latex hood, so the diver could add air to the hood through his/her nose when the pressure built up. But now, with double-skirt masks, and purge valves on the masks, that would be difficult.