My Ears??? Why??? I Need I Want!

[Fireguy274]

I am one of those people who dont equalize easily. I had sinus surgery around 6 years ago, but I dont know if this has any effect on my ears clearing or not. I always clear my ears before i start a descent. I keep clearing them almost continuously on the way down. I totally avoid bounce diving because it makes clearing even worse for me. I took 12 Hour sinutab for a while and it helped a little, but I felt i was taking it too much diving as much as i have. Ive done fifty dives this year so even with the clearing trouble i still enjoy diving. Look for a dive buddy that doesnt rush you!

 

[ColdH2Odvr]

I used to have serious problems clearing. The Valsalva maneuver (pinching your nose and blowing) never worked for me. I used to take Sudafed before each dive but, like RavenC, I started feeling a little like a Sudafed junky. Once I learned to clear my ears without doing the Valsalva life got much better (Sudafed’s gone). The way I clear is a kind of yawn with my mouth shut (BTV). Also, descending feet first seems to help as well. I’ve practiced clearing so much now that it’s second nature. If someone just mentions clearing, I can’t help but do it. If you haven’t read the link from Sea Biscuit yet, do.

If you can get away from doing the Valsalva maneuver, you may be much better off in the long run. Valsalva (and a lot of the Valsalva like methods) cause an increase in venous pressure which may allow bubbles to pass from the venous side of the heart to the arterial side if you have a pfo.

Good luck. Clear early and often, go slow, practice and learn.

 

[SOUTH DEVON]

biscuit7 once bubbled...
[B
I read you post and tried to figure out how I do it and here's the best I can come up with: when you swallow think of pulling your ears back toward the back of your head. I can do it sitting her at the computer, so I think if you do it you'll know.

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cool I've just tried that and it works, must try in the water

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

I am one of the lucky ones who don't have trouble equalizing. But when I first started diving I did. My instructor told me that start moving the muscles before the dive- say in the car or boat. Chewing gum prior helps also. Think of it as working those muscles!
Good luck, take your time descending and don't worry what others think. Its your life and eardrums, not theirs.

 

[Groundhog246]

I found equalizing got easier with practice, so get out and dive more. On the "brother" side of it. GET THE TESTOSTERONE OUT OF THE WATER. Scuba diving is NOT a competative sport. This is the type of behaviour that leads to injuries. If you or your brother are not mature enough to avoid this kind of behaviour, than IMHO, you should not be diving. I speak as the dad of a 15yo who dives (and who not be if I ever saw him do this) and a 12 yo who wants to, partly because of his maturity level (I caould forsee this kind of behaviour).

 

[SOUTH DEVON]

Scuba - you're obsessed !
Just be thankful that you can equalise my diving buddy hasn't been able to equalise for weeks and hence can't dive !
:madelf: