Inner ear always seems to be blocked

[Dangerous Brian]

Hi all,

My ear always feels like it has a last bit of blockage in it. I have not dived for a while so it cant be that. I can breath ok from both nostrils and do not have a cold. In the mornings one of my ears are always blocked (the one I wake up laying on) if i turn over and go back to sleep the otherone blocks. Its driving me mad! After about an hour wen I am going to work both ears are unblocked but the left one always feel like its got something right behind the drum and I cant clear it. Any ideas?? I am off diving for 14 days next month and want to be A1

Thanks.

 

[rmediver2002]

If it were me I would seek a ENT specialist, perhaps it is something physiological.

I have seen several divers who developed various growths that made clearing difficult.

 

[Dangerous Brian]

I have booked an appointment with my doctors, but last time they said that I did not have an infection. Mind you, they only looked at my ear drum and that did not have any wax in it so they said I was OK. Hopefully they will do something a bit more this time.

 

[DangrusDave]

I have booked an appointment with my doctors, but last time they said that I did not have an infection. Mind you, they only looked at my ear drum and that did not have any wax in it so they said I was OK. Hopefully they will do something a bit more this time.

If your Doc wants to put a tube in, you won't be able to dive while the tube is installed. Mine didn't bother to mention that precaution until after my tube was installed. Hope you have better luck getting your issue resolved than I have.

Dave

 

[BigJetDriver]

Diver's Alert Network has a lot of information on "Diving and the Ear".

Try: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/training/seminars/earsanddiving/index.asp

Lots of interesting stuff.

 

[Dangerous Brian]

Thanks you two for more info.. Lets see what happens now.

 

[doctormike]

Thanks you two for more info.. Lets see what happens now.

Hi...

Make sure that you go to an ENT doctor to get your ears checked out before diving with these symptoms (I'm not just saying that because I am one!)...

I have always been amazed as to how hard it is for many (otherwise excellent) docs to make an accurate diagnosis when it comes to looking at the ear. The devil is in the details, and you can cause permanent damage to your hearing by diving with any sort of dysfunction of the Eustachian tube (the natural drainage pathway of the ear).

A person who has not had lifelong problems with equalizing their ears (i.e. any certified SCUBA diver) is not likely to suddenly develop permanent problems with their Eustachian tubes. Blockage is usually temporary, and often related to colds, allergies or other similar problems. Gotta be able to equalize before you dive, though...

 

[MoonWrasse]

Well, a few things.

First, this may not be a problem for diving. Try descending very slowly your first dive, try a bow line. You're going to Phuket, some sites have perm lines (i.e. King Cruiser) which you can walk down.

Second, I know exactly what you're talking about, it happens to me on occasion.

Third, keep your ears dry - I put TP in my ears (avoid Qtips!) after swiming/showering/bathing) to absorb any water.

Fourth, use your airplane ride to test your ear equalization ability - descending from 35,000 feet to sea level you'll need to equalize your ears about the same as if you dove to 10-12 meters.

 

[MoonWrasse]

Opps, forgot:

Fifth, maybe you have a lingering sinus infection? Does taking a sudephed help the problem?

 

[Dangerous Brian]

Thanks for the info again. I will got to doctors and ask if they can send me somewhere else. I will also try sudafed., Normally I do not have to much problem getting down. Better to be safe than on a beach watching others have fun!

Thanks again
Steve