Kindly rate your ability to equalize your air spaces.

[armyscuba]

I voted for the automatic equalization.

But, I do have problems after dives with ear infection. I've been using an alchohol/glycerin mix and that has helped a lot.

Try Olive Oil..it won't dry out Your ear and helps lubricate Your ear canal

 

[mania]

I sometimes do have problems with equalizing and then I have to descend really slowly. But I have less problems after my ear barotrauma than I had before.
Mania

 

[DoUDive2]

Try Olive Oil..it won't dry out Your ear and helps lubricate Your ear canal

That's an interesting idea. Does it have any medicinal properties? Or do you use it after disinfecting?

Chris

 

[crispos]

Good response so far. Of course those who can't dive due to inability to equalize are probably not on Scubaboard.

Can any MD's confirm that the Eustachian tubes can be "trained" to equalize with repetition?

 

[DandyDon]

Can any MD's confirm that the Eustachian tubes can be "trained" to equalize with repetition?

Post the question on Dr.Deco...?

 

[H2Andy]

Can any MD's confirm that the Eustachian tubes can be "trained" to equalize with repetition?

i don't think that's what's going on. like anything, the longer you do something,
the better you get at it. you can just equalize faster, quicker, and with less warning
signs than someone less experienced.

i don't think your physiology changes; i think what happens is your skills and "feel"
for the process improve with practice.

 

[Chummer]

Ive never had a problem equalizing, I can sink as fast as I like.
I used to use a mask that fit very snuggly under my nose, so I never had to pinch it.
I ended up upsetting a new buddy I was with cuz I descended to the bottom with him and never touched my nose.

 

[CuriousMe]

Can any MD's confirm that the Eustachian tubes can be "trained" to equalize with repetition?

i don't think that's what's going on. like anything, the longer you do something,
the better you get at it. you can just equalize faster, quicker, and with less warning
signs than someone less experienced.

i don't think your physiology changes; i think what happens is your skills and "feel"
for the process improve with practice.

I'm not a Doc and don't play one on TV either I was a kid with chronic ear infections and constant fluid in my eustachian tubes (had surgery and the works)....I was the only 4 year old on my block who could say Eustachian Tubes <smile>

I to grew up around the ocean and water in general and knew how to clear my ears at a very early age....however, I wasn't always successful at it. Even when flying in airplanes....it would sometimes be days before I could hear again after a flight. When I was in my late twenties, during a visit to an ENT for another issue, he tested my ability to clear my ears. He put a device in my ear and pressurized it, and had me try and clear it. I was trying like crazy (I wasn't stressing or anything...I was relaxed)....after trying and trying, and having very little success....he let me know that I probably had scar tissue in my tubes from my early childhood ear infections.

Amazingly enough though....I didn't have problems when I started diving (still don't)....I think the difference between diving and both the test the Doc performed and the airplane was that as long as I can control the rate of increase in pressure....I could keep ahead of it and was fine.

I've been diving pretty consistently for about two years now....I noticed after about 6-8 months.....I was able to clear in the airplane a lot easier. I don't have any problems when I fly now.

My Doc's reason why is that I've been exercising those tubes and they've become more flexible.

Peace,
Cathie

 

[String]

My Doc's reason why is that I've been exercising those tubes and they've become more flexible.

Id go along with that - as i said in my post i started off needing to take action to clear and gradually it improved until i can do it by swallowing or jaw waggling and no more now. Most of the time i dont even need to do that as normal swallowing seems to release pressure build up before i notice it.

 

[H2Andy]

I'm not a Doc and don't play one on TV either I was a kid with chronic ear infections and constant fluid in my eustachian tubes (had surgery and the works)....

wow... me too... isn't that a coincidence? it seems i was
always sick with a throat or ear infection when i was a kid
too.

and yet, i've never had trouble equalizing.

it would be interesting to see if the physiology actually changes
(becomes more elastic, whatever). neat question.