My ear is ringing

[streetnfish]

I just finished my certification dives this weekend and I was having problems equalizing. It took me 3-4 times longer that anyone else and I often had to go up and down during my descent because of my discomfort. I eventually would get down and seemed to be fine. However, my left ear feels plugged and I am experiencing ringing. Is this common and what can I do about it. I hope I didn't permanently damage my ear on my inroduction to the sport.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi streetnfish,

Ringing in the ears is called tinnitus. This is a term used to describe the sensation of ringing, roaring, low-pitched hissing, chirping, screeching, or even musical sounds when such sounds are not externally present.

Tinnitus can be caused by a wide variety of events, such as certain drugs, wax in the ear canal, exposure to loud noises, tears in various membranes within the ear, or damage to the acoustic nerve itself. It can be temporary or permanent. In the latter case, treatment of the condition is not as effective as medicine would like.

Tinnitus & a sensation of fullness or plugging can & do result from damage to the ear secondary to improper clearing/equalization while diving.

The cause & possible treatment of persistent symptoms is best determined by a physician expert in disorders of the ear, known as an ENT. Those not having an ENT can start by seeing their regular doctor, and s/he can make a specialist referral if required.

Until all symptoms of an ear disorder have resolved, or clearance to dive is obtained from a qualified physician, it is prudent to refrain from scuba.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo

 

[GP]

I have the same symptoms right now however it is not a new problem that is only related to SCUBA diving. I had the exact same thing happen about a year ago from trying to clean my ears with ear wax removal drops and lightly flushing the ear with water. I ended up having to go the doctor because the ear was completely plugged and ringing and I couldn't hear out of the one ear hardly at all.
Well I started my SCUBA classes last week and had no problems equalizing my ears but the water wouldn't drain out of one of my ears. I've tried drops, olive oil, water...everything and I cannot get it unplugged. I guess I have to make another doctor appointment to get my ears flushed again. The last time it took them a good 15 minutes to get the ear cleaned out because it was so packed with ear wax.

 

[GP]

Well I went to the doctor and my suspicions were correct in that I had a nasty ear wax blockage problem. They put in some industrial strength ear drops for 15 minutues and flushed it out and all is well. No eardrum damage. If you are having problems definately go see the doctor to be sure. Ear problems are not something to take lightly.

 

[scubabunny]

I've never really thought about this before...but what exactly causes earwax? Does it really have a purpose?

Hey..I told you this was a strange question!

 

[GP]

Originally posted by scubabunny
I've never really thought about this before...but what exactly causes earwax? Does it really have a purpose?

Hey..I told you this was a strange question!

Well...I don't know really what causes ear wax but its purpose is to keep contaminates out of your ear by trapping them such as dirt and bugs etc...According to what I've read it varies from person to person how much ear wax they produce. My SCUBA instructor said he needs to clean his ears a few times a year because he is in the pool a lot and the chlorine makes his ears produce more ear wax than normal. Eardrops can help if you use them before its too late and if you use them regularly. I did find a cool earwax remover similar to what the doctors use at the doctors office to clean your ears only it is designed with an angle in the tip so that you can use it yourself. Check it out, I've posted the link below. I'm gonna have to order one I think.

http://www.earclear.com/

 

[TwoBitTxn]

My wife discovered the easiest way to create impaction problems in the ears is by using a Q-tip to clean the ear canal. She did a better job of packing the wax against the ear drum which finaly caused problems.

Tom

 

[landfish]

I am new at diving but i have no problem equalizing my ears.i have only been on 10 dives so far but each dive is better then the last so far.my problem is a day or two after the dive my ears begin to ring.i dove this past saturday 10/13 and today 10/16 my ears are ringing it is soemthing i can live with but it just can't be right.by the time i am ready to go diving next weekend the ringing will have almost stoped but will still be there i am sure.once i get in the water it is gone.any suggestion?
thank you

 

[syruss32]

Originally posted by scubabunny
I've never really thought about this before...but what exactly causes earwax? Does it really have a purpose?

Hey..I told you this was a strange question!

What is this stuff, anyway?

Ear wax is a sticky liquid secreted by cerumen glands. It isn't really wax (paraffin.) Skin contains many tiny glands whose sole purpose is to secrete a variety of substances. Sebaceous glands, for example, secrete sebum, which gives skin its "greasy" quality. Sweat is also produced by microscopic glands. Cerumen glands are found only in the skin of the ear canals.

What good is it?

Ear wax, sticky stuff that it is, is very good at trapping anything foreign that flies, crawls, or is blown into the ear canals. Dirt, tiny bits of plant material, small insects, bacteria and so forth are immobilized by wax. Think of wax as the sticky stuff on a No Pest Strip. The primary purpose of ear wax is to protect your ear canal (as well as your ear drum) from such foreign materials. Ear canal skin moves (very slowly) out of the ear canal, carrying with it any wax and debris that are adherent to the skin. Most of the time, the ear canals are fully capable of self-cleaning in this manner.

What problems can ear wax cause?

Ear wax can cause hearing loss, pain, and cough. Hearing loss occurs when wax completely occludes (blocks) the ear canal. This prevents sound waves from easily reaching the ear drum, in exactly the same way that ear plugs (or a strategically-positioned finger) block sound. Even a small amount of wax, if wedged between the ear drum and the ear canal wall, can reduce the ability of the ear drum to conduct sound. Some people tend to form very hard wax, which can cause pain by putting pressure on sensitive ear canal walls. Finally, since the ear canal shares some of the same nerves which give sensation to the throat, ear wax can provoke a "tickle in the throat" which can then lead to cough.

 

[ScubaBaby]

Landfish

First welcome to scubaboard! Glad to see your jumping straight in!

I am no doctor so what I say is just from experience and the strange logic I come up with!

Cause it started a few days after, I wouldnt say that it has damaged your ears, more likely to be a wax build up than anything else. If I were you I would try using warm olive oil, put a couple of drops in the ear(s) affected, put cotton wool in your ears and go to bed. Do that for a week...if its not any better, go see your GP and see what hes got to say about it. Thats what I'd do.

It might be best to go to your GP first, I just tend to take risks I shouldnt. I am sure on the doctors of the board will come in and expand and say "Don't listen to scubababy!!!"

Good luck and I hope you stop hearing the bells soon!!!