Inner Ear Barotrauma Cure

[jonsales1973]

Hi All,
My names Jon and I'm doing a Divemaster Internship here in Cyprus with SSI.
I already have my Open Water Diver and will be staring my Specialties soon and my Advanced Open Water Diver.

Problem is I've not been able to dive the last few weeks due to Inner Ear Barotrauma and it's starting to get me down.

I'm on a tight schedule as I have to return to the UK withing the next month or so and I'm loosing valuable time when I could be doing my courses.

I have taken one packet of Sudafed decongestant and I'm also having ear drops 4 times a day in each ear.
My right ear is more or less clear now but my left one isn't.

Does anyone else know of any cures for this to help me get goign with my DM course again?

I have ordered a pair of Doc's Proplugs but they haven't arrived yet as post to Cyprus is very slow to say the least.

Any help on what I can take will be most appreciated as I want to work in the diving industry for the remainder of this season as well as next in Europe.

Regards,
Jon (Pernera, Cyprus)​

 

[WB2GLP]

Yes, take one trip to your local MD. The few times that I've developed ear issues, it's been middle ear not inner. Was the IEB self diagnosed?

Reading your post a second time and seeing that you're treating an inner ear infection with drops, I'm guessing it's self diagnosed.

Typical treatment by an MD usually includes decongestant, antibiotics, and methylprednisolone or similar.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Jon,

This graphic may assist you in understanding the following reply --> http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/uploads/VMC/TreatmentImages/2191_ear_anatomy_450.jpg

IEB results when either the oval or round window are ruptured by unequalized barometric pressure upon the ear drum. This can be a very serious injury. Such tearing or perforation usually causes an immediate feeling of vertigo, possibly accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Hearing loss & tinnitus are also common.

Given that IEB is by definition an INNER ear injury, there is little to no reason to expect that placing drops in the EXTERNAL ear canal or taking a decongestamnt that acts primarily on the MIDDLE ear space would be of significant benefit.

There every reason to believe that you require diagnosis & treatment by a medical professional, preferably by an ENT or allied specialist.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo

 

[PsyWulf]

Nr1. Don't rush,thats what likely caused your problem
2. Inner Ear is not a joking matter,antibiotics and frequent visits to a specialist physician are your friend
3. Did you selfdiagnose? If yes - why,if not - why didn't you ask the pertinent questions

 

[jonsales1973]

Hi guys, yes I self diagnosed after a chat with my SSI instructor and the SSI area Manager here in Cyprus.
Not been to the Drs here as it costs a lot of money which I haven't got.

Been using the drops with

methylprednisolone in and also Sinutab decongestant. Nothing has worked and it's been 3 weeks now.

When I wake in the morning it sounds like I have fluid in my ear as soon as I move, my ears pop and gurgle throughout the day and I often now get headaches or an ache behind my ear.

I will have to go back to the UK I think and get it sorted there. Shame because I'd like to finish my DM here in the Med. Time is s;ipping away too fast and I'm afraid that if I dive before it is better I will cause further damage.

It happened when on my last OW dive and the instructor took us to 40m.

As I say that was 3 weeks ago now and after every dive for my Ow as soon as I surfaced I had blood coming from my nose.

Jon.​

---------- Post added June 30th, 2013 at 09:37 PM ----------

Hi Jon,

This graphic may assist you in understanding the following reply --> http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/uploads/VMC/TreatmentImages/2191_ear_anatomy_450.jpg

IEB results when either the oval or round window are ruptured by unequalized barometric pressure upon the ear drum. This can be a very serious injury. Such tearing or perforation usually causes an immediate feeling of vertigo, possibly accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Hearing loss & tinnitus are also common.

Given that IEB is by definition an INNER ear injury, there is little to no reason to expect that placing drops in the EXTERNAL ear canal or taking a decongestamnt that acts primarily on the MIDDLE ear space would be of significant benefit.

There every reason to believe that you require diagnosis & treatment by a medical professional, preferably by an ENT or allied specialist.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo

Looking at that graphic I would say it sounds and feels like middle ear problems. My hearing is also muffled like I'm listening through yoghurt pots stuck on my ears.

 

[tracydr]

You did 40 meters on your last dive for OW certification?!

 

[maniago]

Maybe read up on the Netipot threads - heres the most extensive one. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...everyday-feeling-good-anybody-else-doing.html

It might help you, or might not. But the information is there for the reading.

 

[flots am]

Problem is I've not been able to dive the last few weeks due to InnerEarBarotrauma and it's starting to get me down.

Unless someone has actually examined your ear and determined what's wrong, you have no idea if any particular home remedy will make it better or worse or permanently damage something.

Go see an actual doctor.

Does anyone else know of any cures for this to help me get goign with my DM course again?

Whatever you have will need to heal and it takes as long as it takes.

flots.

 

[Bratface]

I agree with everyone else. You are overdue at a dr office to be examined and treated properly. I had barotrauma once that kept me from diving for nine months. My hearing was in jeopardy and the doctor wasn't sure I would ever dive again. Not meaning to be a bearer of doom, but you really must take care of yourself. I got well after following his treatment plan. I wish you the best but don't rush it.

 

[doctormike]

These threads are VERY frequent here... there is a lot of confusion about outer, middle and inner ear stuff. They are very different and are treated completely differently.

No idea what you actually have, but FWIW drops have absolutely no effect on inner (or middle) ear problems. What you need is a good exam and a diagnosis.

Here is my article about ear injuries in diving: http://www.rothschilddesign.com/ear_scuba/

Good luck!

Mike