How you clean your ears after a dive

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

Hi,
I use a mix of alcohol, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide.(Ear Beer) I mix up equal parts of each in a small bottle. I put about 5 drops in each ear and let it sit for about 30 seconds before dumping it out.

This stuff works well for me.
Jim Breslin

Jim - I assume you are using standard "rubbing alcohol", but what kind of vinegar do you use?

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Some people has a predisposition to ear infections. I am one of those. Ear drops are preventive maintenance in my case.

I have had 10-15 ear infections over the past 35 years after scuba or skin diving. Once they get going it is very, very painful, requires a doctors appointment and antibiotic ear drops with no diving for several days. Can really screw up your vacation. I am now 60% deaf in one ear and 35% in the other. I believe a significant part of this hear loss was due to ear infections, although some is probably due to age.

I now use prepared swimmers ear drops, alcohol with a little bit if glycerin to replace the protective coating of lost wax. A few drops in either ear and no post dive infections. No negative side effects. Cost is pennies per dive.

In a pinch, when I forgot to pack drops and have felt the beginning of an infection, I use straight denatured alcohol out of a 16oz bottle, it is also effective, but drying.

 

[sabbath999]

I hold a hose up to one ear and turn it on... the water pours in one ear, fills up my head and then squirts out the other.

Then, after a couple minutes, I turn the water off and hold my head sideways until it drains empty.... that generally gets em good and clean.

I don't know if that will work with anybody who actually has a brain, but for me it is perfect.

 

[SCUBASailor]

Here's the formula I have received the OK on from three doctors (one of whom is my ENT and a diver). 1/2 rubbing alcohol, 1/2 white vinegar. A squirt in each ear after swimming or diving. It works for me.

 

[Hickdive]

Floss.

In one side and out the other;does the back of my eyeballs at the same time.

 

[JohnB47]

I almost hesitate to mention this, because I am sure that some of you will find it unbelievable. I don't have personal knowledge of this either. However, I have heard that people diving in the caves and sinkholes in Florida have sometimes gotten infected with a type of amoeba that enters through the ear, into the brain, causing incurable dementia and eventual death. That is why many cave divers use various preparations to clean their ears after diving.

 

[Nylorac]

A Q-Tip.

Yes, just use Q-Tips every day! Used on a daily basis it is all you need. I'm not kidding - I had real problems until I got my ears flushed (because you need to use Q-tips daily and I did not) and absolutely no problems since then - just use them every single day so nothing builds up.

 

[Scuba_HI]

For a week now I have had water in my ear, no pain but it felt like water moving around when lying on my side or what not. I had read up on here about swim ear and all the ear beer but still wanted to see the doctor about it before I started trying things. So he took a look inside and said all looks good. I then asked him about using swim ear he told me that it only helps the outer ear mine was the inner ear. He then gave me Veramyst nasal spray, for free well kinda free still had to pay him. He said that my right ear will clear up in a couple of days and I can still dive this weekend if it all clears up, yippee. When I got to my car I opened it up and sprayed the right side of the nose I'll be damned if my ear started feeling better after that it's been 6 hours now can feel a little bit in there so maybe one more day? Any thoughts? Or opinions?

 

[Jayde323]

I use this: Sahara Dry Ear - Warm Air Ear Dryer

I hate putting the drops in my ear. I tried every recipe and they all made my ears feel dried out and itchy. Found one of the ear dryers and have never looked back. It's a little expensive, but well worth it to me.

 

[SkimFisher]

I use what was suggested by my ENT the first time I got a good ear infection - white vinegar and alcohol mixed in equal proportions.