Mild ear problem after snorkeling dive.

[bp_968]

On the 20th of june I was in Hawaii snorkeling (did my first intro dive friday the 17th, fun!). Anyway, on the 20th I went to go under while snorkeling and made it about 5-6 feet before the pressure on my left ear got noticeably uncomfortable and i aborted and surfaced. When I surfaced I noticed the feeling of water in my ear so I discontinued freediving. The feeling of water in my ear lasted a solid 4 days (even with repeated attempts to clear it with swimmers ear solution). I continued to snorkel the rest of the trip (2 more days) and only freedived a couple more times (without any pain or equalization problems). I also had no problems on the flights home with equlization. Starting the 26th I started to get a bit of congestion/cold and notice when I blow my nose both my ears pressurize (like normal) but when I move my jaw to equalize my left ear makes a "fizzing" or "velcro" sound. Like blowing through bubbles. No pain or discomfort, and it does seem to be doing it less so today then it was 6 days ago. The main reason I ask is it has been 12 days, and with my plans to get certified I don't want to let anything go that might end up being a problem.

Am I being overly cautious?

Ben

 

[gert7to3]

I am not a physician.

IMHO snorkeling is harder on your ears than scuba diving. The pressure differential isn't as great, but the changes are much faster and more frequent.

You should have your ears examined by a specialist. The feeling of water may have been fluid forced into your left middle ear through your eustachian tube. The delayed equalization issue could indicate a partial blockage. This may be an individual physiological characteristic of your body or you maybe did something. Repeated use of swimmers ear products is not necessarily good for your ear. It can be very drying and irritating. A decongestant might have been the better course of action.

Here are a couple of links to look at:

www.scuba-doc.com/Equalizing_Techniques.pdf

http://www.scuba-doc.com/entprobs.html

 

[bp_968]

Update:

Ear wax. Lots of it. The ENT (Dr. Steven M. Woodruff M.D.) said my ears looked great (well, after he removed the offending wax).

Very nice guy, I would recommend him to anyone needing an ENT in the Cincinnati/NK area.

Ben

I am not a physician.

IMHO snorkeling is harder on your ears than scuba diving. The pressure differential isn't as great, but the changes are much faster and more frequent.

You should have your ears examined by a specialist. The feeling of water may have been fluid forced into your left middle ear through your eustachian tube. The delayed equalization issue could indicate a partial blockage. This may be an individual physiological characteristic of your body or you maybe did something. Repeated use of swimmers ear products is not necessarily good for your ear. It can be very drying and irritating. A decongestant might have been the better course of action.

Here are a couple of links to look at:

www.scuba-doc.com/Equalizing_Techniques.pdf

http://www.scuba-doc.com/entprobs.html