Lets talk ear plugs for diving.

[Ann Marie]

The infections are always in my left ear!! But, I rarely have the windows down after a dive...usually the heater is on. I use the ear drops but not for a full five minutes, I'll give that a go. One good thing about an external ear infection is that it doesn't stop me from diving.

 

[fairybasslet]

I also have a lot of problems with my left ear. Infections, trouble equalizing. My ENT said I have really small, twisty, turny Eustachian tubes. I went to the Pro Plugs booth at Beneath the Sea and sure enough, I had trouble equalizing the left when Doc had that machine in my ear.
Anyway, I bought the Proplugs and used them in Roatan. I'll never forget being on Newman's Wall and having absolutely no trouble equalizing. It was amazing. I didn't have to swallow, wiggle my jaw, anything. It could have been the Pro-plugs or the Sudafed I used. (Before you flame, my ENT who is also a diver, suggested I use the Sudafed before every dive, so I was following doctor's orders). It could have been both together. It was remarkable!! I was so excited that when I got to the rinse tank, I forgot to cap my reg. Anyway, I highly recommend them. They worked for me, and I didn't have any problems ascending, water in the ear, that clogged feeling, etc.

 

[liberato]

It could have been the Pro-plugs or the Sudafed I used...

Unless controlled for one or the other, anecdotal experiences are less valuable because no cause and effect are revealed. Using Sudafed is sure to cause a more profound effect than the ProPlugs. The ProPlugs have only two affects on equalization and both are way more subtle than pharmocologically making your Eustachian tubes patent.

The first happens only during the first few meters as the ProPlug is pressed into your ear canal compressing the air behind it. The compressibility of the air allows for a certain margin of error in equalizing exactly. Comfortable warm air is what is contacting the eardrum. Most people who have problems experience them in the first half atmosphere of descent when this "equalizing against air" is in effect.

Once the water breaks the surface tension of the vent then the main benefit is the warming of the isolated water behind the ProPlug. This allows for a relaxed ear area which can contribute to easier equalization.

I think it is the isolation from the cold that has more of an affect on some people's equalizing ability but both are subtle and indirect.

I have talked to some who have used them but did not see much advantage over having a properly fitting hood. The only valid arguments I have heard against their use is the sound attenuation from a safety perspective but I actually prefer a little less noise underwater myself (a boat nearby is way noiser underwater than above).

 

[offroaddiver]

I've heard from several divers, that the pressure sometimes isnt' balanced in both and sometimes makes them sick (an off balance feeling). I saw a set of ear plugs online at a online dive retailer and emailed the manufacturer about use with scuba diving. An email was sent the following day....URGENT PLEASE READ IMMEDIATELY!!!! The costumer information saw my question and responded to the effect of: (whatever brand it was) ear plugs are only tested and approved to be used at a depth of no deeper than 10 feet and for at that depth temporarily. The ear plugs are intended to be used when recreationally swimming at the surface. The newer boxes have the warnings printed on the side. If you are using (brand not remembered) ear plug stop immediately and if any irritation occurs seek medical attention.

I intentionally was looking at ear plugs for my father who has severe swimmers ear whenever his head is underwater. He can even develop a case while showering. He now uses a home remedy of ear drops a doctor suggested he try (I honestly don't have a clue, it smells like skunk spray) and that his physician prescribed some drops for his ears that have pain relievers mixed in the concoaction.

I've gotten air trapped and decended before. I had barely started to descend before the pain started. I did the procedure that I was taught in case you didn't clear your ears in time and the problem went away immediately. I carry q-tips in my dive bag. Not really for any reason than to stop my ears from dripping the water out and grossing out people(it's happened before).

 

[liberato]

Right, any foam or other non-vented ear plug is not to be used for diving. I'm surprised they were being sold by a dive retailer. :06:

 

[offroaddiver]

There's alot of stuff that isn't intended for diving that is sold at "dive retailers". I've seen hundreds of 100m and 50m watches online...(i've imploded watches before....little bubbles then uh oh). A DS in GA was selling the battery powered light sticks. Took closer look no seals and on the packaging it even said water resistent but not to be submerged. I asked the person behind the counter about it...They were under the impression they were just cheaper versions of dive led sticks. Plus their the disposable cameras I've seen that are "water resistent" but not supposed to be submerged, and other disposable cameras rated to 10 feet.
Alot of dive shops don't sell to SCUBA divers only, I've seen dive shops in FL have alot of gear directed to swimmers and skin divers only. An example is the trolling board I saw at a Divers Direct...You are supposed to use this board and be towed behind a boat goin not faster than around 5 miles per hour and it helps you control your trolling depth, and In HUGE letters NOT INTENDED FOR SCUBA DIVING since the ascention rate may cause lung over expansion.
There are hundreds of dive shops that sell paint ball gear and it sometimes gets mixed in with scuba gear. That could turn into a scary situation for either a SCUBA diver or a person shooting paintballs.

 

[offroaddiver]

There's alot of stuff that isn't intended for diving that is sold at "dive retailers". I've seen hundreds of 100m and 50m watches online...(i've imploded watches before....little bubbles then uh oh). A DS in GA was selling the battery powered light sticks. Took closer look no seals and on the packaging it even said water resistent but not to be submerged. I asked the person behind the counter about it...They were under the impression they were just cheaper versions of dive led sticks. Plus their the disposable cameras I've seen that are "water resistent" but not supposed to be submerged, and other disposable cameras rated to 10 feet.
Alot of dive shops don't sell to SCUBA divers only, I've seen dive shops in FL have alot of gear directed to swimmers and skin divers only. An example is the trolling board I saw at a Divers Direct...You are supposed to use this board and be towed behind a boat goin not faster than around 5 miles per hour and it helps you control your trolling depth, and In HUGE letters NOT INTENDED FOR SCUBA DIVING since the ascention rate may cause lung over expansion.
There are hundreds of dive shops that sell paint ball gear and it sometimes gets mixed in with scuba gear. That could turn into a scary situation for either a SCUBA diver or a person shooting paintballs.
Keep a watchful eye on what you buy for SCUBA diving.

 

[fairybasslet]

Unless controlled for one or the other, anecdotal experiences are less valuable because no cause and effect are revealed. Using Sudafed is sure to cause a more profound effect than the ProPlugs.

I think you're probably right here. At Epcot last week, I only used the Proplugs, no Sudafed, and had a lot more difficulty. But then again, it could have been because the Living Seas is only 25 feet and going up and down a couple of feet makes a big difference.

One thing for sure, the proplugs keep the water out of my ears, which is a great benefit.

 

[JRO]

I have not used the Pro Plugs yet....but I will be trying them out. If I do two or three dives a day I am generally fine. But having discovered liveaboards and the joy of jumping in the water five times a day...I've also found the agony of having equalization issues and usually shortly after the trip, an ear infection.

I tried the PRO EAR mask and it did a great job when it was working. The issues I had with it were as follows;

1) If you don't get the seals perfect they flood (user error)
2) I usually automatically clear any water from my mask by exhaling thru my nose periodically. With the Pro Ear mask you have to pinch off the hoses that go to the ear cup in order to clear the mask (although clearing the ear cups is very easy), this requires both hands. I also record video while diving (talk about task loading, dangle the camera, pinch the hoses, clear the mask, retrieve the camera, where did that cool critter go?). Now imagine a night dive....I use a hand held Light Cannon for illumination, which you should never dangle (my poor dive buddy was blinded twice, that was when I decided it wasn't for me)

Back to topic. I saw another diver using the Pro Plugs on a liveaboard and after talking to him, they appear to be a simpler and more effective (and cheaper) solution to my ear problems than the Pro Ear mask. I'll get back to you after I put this to the test, probably Novemeber.

Jeff

 

[DeputyDan]

Thanks for the discussion

DD