Lets talk ear plugs for diving.

[The Kraken]

Dealing only with physics and the hypothetical use of ear plugs:

Given: a diver enters the water with earplugs properly in place

the diver begins the descent

the increased water pressure generates force upon the earplug which, in turn, generates increased pressure in the auditory canal

the diver equalizes the imbalance of pressures in the normal manner

the pressure upon the inner ear is equal to that on the outer ear

If all the pressures have been equalized, wherein lies the problematic use of earplugs?

 

[liberato]

Well, if you are speaking of conventional ear plugs then there are two problems. What happens when the earplug is imbedded deeply and can't go in any further and you continue descent?

Secondly, what happens when it is embedded securely after the pressure of a descent and then you ascend?

Neither of those problems exist with the vented ProPlugs.

 

[fairybasslet]

As far as I know, there is no problem. It's just that a lot of people don't believe that they work. In other words, people think you've thrown out $10. Hey, I've wasted a lot more $ than that before.

 

[WinDuck]

I have dealt with this problem for more than 10 years. I actually stopped diving because I couldn't equalize. I have used the mask with earmuffs...LOL...and nows am using the proplugs. I agree that there is definetly something to the warmth being maintained in the ear. Also I wear mine with a hood, regardless if I am warm or cold water. I make sure that my ears are clean and clear of any wax. It is important that the vents do not become obstructed. Also you still need to clear earily and often. I like them with the string attachment, and I will have to look at attaching them to my mask as mine are clear and are easily misplaced. I do credit my ability to dive again to proplugs, equalizing pratice (throat piston techinque) and now and then a little sudafed.

DiveON

 

[Rcalebaugh]

I just started using these ear plugs on my trip to San Salvador. Worked well, allowed me to clear without any problems.

 

[Debay777]

I recently bought a pair of Doc's Pro Ear Plugs after I had a rush of cold water give me vertigo. I was messed up for the rest of the day. There are several considerations to be made before you buy them. Do you think you need them? IF you have been diving through different temp layers and depths with zero issues, dont bother with them. If you hate that cold rush, the vertigo, or seem to keep water in your ears for days after you dive, then by all means try them out.

If you are going to buy a pair, make sure that the sales clerk has been trained to help you find the right size. Its not difficult, but if they dont know what they are doing the wrongs plugs wont keep water out or worse they will fall out and then you cant return them. One you get them, practce puting them in. Its simple but they dont fit like regular ear plugs. Mine sit mostly on the outside of my ear and only seat correctly with the water pressure pushing in on them. They do keep 95% of the water out and can make a world of difference when you come out of the water into a strong breeze or the boat starts moving right after you get back on board. they fit relatively comfortably with only a minor amount of irritation. They are also vented like previously mentioned. As you equalize the air can escape through the holes in the silicone. Very littel to no water makes it past these holes.

As for wearing them with a hood, unless just having water in your ears causes you issues, dont combine the two. The hood should keep the water on your ear warm and more or less in place. The hood and plugs by themselves cause a drop in hearing as it is, combining them makes it worse.

I love mine. They have worked very well for me. When I surfaced, my ears were dry and comfortable. I didnt have that rumble in my ears when I bent over or any residual pain afterwards. I dove to 60 feet with them in with no noticeable change in comfort or pressure. I was able to clear descending and equalized just as easily ascending. I only wish I had the ones on the string. I didnt know about those until after I had already bought the regular ones. Also, if they offer a colr other than clear, get them. The clears ones vanish the second you put them down. They do get slightly irritating, but if you just ignore it it eventualy goeas away. Its far less annoying that vertigo or ear infections. Overall I love mine and dont consider the 13 bucks a waste.

 

[fairybasslet]

I had ones with the string but it broke in Bonaire. Now I kind of like them better without the string. You can just put a dot on them with a marker so you can see them better. I keep mine in my case so I don't lose them but when I took off my hood (I do wear mine with a hood 'cause I get water in my ears without them) they went flying. But the DM on the boat found them and suggested putting a color mark on them.

 

[Yellow Angel Fish]

:shakehead I have tried the earplugs that are specifically designed for diving and they were a no go for me. I had even more problems equalizing. I know that mine were the correct size. I think that different things work for different people. I think that the ones I tried were around $15 so the price isn't so great that you wouldn't be able to afford a pair just to give them a try. Hopefully they work better for others.

 

[ClayJar]

- Helps prevent outer ear and inner ear infection, vertigo and thermal reaction

It helps prevent inner ear infections? Does trauma to the round or oval windows lead to inner ear infections? Are they just blending things together here?

Due to surface tension the vented plug also reduces abrupt pressure changes from reaching the sensitive eardrum which contributes to easier equalization.

Movie physics. Now, if they're trying to say that the hole is small enough that the flowrate of water through it is significantly reduced, thereby reducing the pressure gradient versus time behind the plug, I would assume that would be the case, but surface tension?

I've had a lot of trouble equalizing in the past and have often had to deal with MEB (middle ear barotrauma), characterized by nosebleeds and more when surfacing. I bought a pair of your vented proplugs and tried them out this time and was pleasantly surprised that my first dive with them was painless and very comfortable.

(emphasis mine). Middle ear barotrauma is not characterized by nosebleeds, and to include such a testimonial does great harm to their credibility, regardless of the veracity of their primary claims.

The plugs could be the best thing since sliced bread, and perhaps one day future divers will look back at us like many of us look at J-valves and double-hosers (and I don't mean with the unbridled nostalgia that we occasionally display ). If Doc's Pro Plugs' site could be a bit more thoughtful as to their claims, they may even be able to speed that along. As it stands, however, they have (even if inadvertantly) tripped my bogosity detector.

 

[ScubaDivaDivemaster]

I use them and love them. I can equalize easier with them in, of course I sometimes forget them or misplace them because they are clear. (Thanks gang! I like the idea of putting some color on them.) I always equalize early and VERY often.

Yes, you must use the vented type and make sure you get the right fit. As with anything is scuba diving, or ANY other activity, knowledge is the key. Proper use of the proper equipment for the proper reason.

C U underwater,
ScubaDivaDivemaster