Ear clearing is more of an art than a science. I, for one, wish that they didn't teach the valsalvo maneuver in OW class. It encourages divers to correct one problem with another. Everyone's definition of a gentle puff is different & I see way too many folks trying to blow their ears out with this technique.
The most important secret to easing stress on the ears is to allow them the opportunity to clear naturally, by clearing often & if pressure developes from an over rapid descent, GOING BACK UP to where pressure is reduced, clearing, then resuming your descent. If you already feel pressure in your ears, it's too late to clear effectively.
I have a problem in that one ear clears much better than the other, so all that huffing & puffing only bothers the ear thats clear already without helping the one with the problem. I clear only by chewing & swallowing (same thing I do in an airplane). It costs me about $10.00 per year in regulator mouthpieces, but I save a fortune in ENT visits, not to mention the pain.
As you descend, keep in mind that it's not a race & descend only as quickly (slowly) as your ears allow. My personal descent rate varies dive to dive from 90+ feet per minute to as little as 2-3 feet per minute on a really bad day. (yes, it really took me almost 1/2 hour to get to 60 feet, but who's counting)
If you can, go to the pool & practice clearing until it comes as naturally in the water as it does on land. If you don't have access to a pool, just listen to your ears on your next dives & take it slow & easy.
