New Diver - Ear Problem

[pherzog1]

Greetings All.
I just got my certification last week went on my first real dive to 35 feet 3 days ago. It was great, however, after the dive both my ears seemed to be plugged and they still haven't cleared up. It doesn't seem like there is any water in them so I'm curious to hear thoughts on what I may be expereincing. Here's some related info.

After the dive I noticed that I had a small nose bleed. I don't know if this because I didn't equalize my mask or if somehow the small amount of blood from my nose is somehow related to my ears still being plugged. It seems like I can hear normally out of both ears, but when I talk it doesn't sound quite the same. Also, I seem to hear interior stuff like eating crunchy foods, burping and swallowing louder than before. I've tried ear drops like swimmer ear but that doesn't clear anything up either. It almost seems like it's something with my inner or middle ear but don't have any way to really know that.

Any idea what I'm expereincing? Should I go see a doc? or is this something that is common and will clear up in a couple more days?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

Did you have any trouble equalizing?

Your best bet would be to contact DAN and/or go to an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat specialist) doctor that is familiar with scuba diving issues.

If you post your location, someone may be able to recommend a good ENT in your area.

 

[pherzog1]

I did have some problems equalizing, however, I made it to the bottom. Everytime I felt a little pain on descent I went up about 5 feet and equalized and decended again. I repeated this until I made it to the bottom. Going up, I felt a little pain, but again, not extreme or sharp.

Location: Owatonna, MN

 

[DandyDon]

Sounds just like this thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/217364-water-ears.html where you'll see some very good answer.

Also see the video available on this thread about equalizing: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/di...r-under-pressure-update-re-helpful-video.html

 

[oceancat]

I would see your dr. With the symptoms and scenario you describe, you may have bruised your eardrums by trying to equalize a bit too forcefully. I have done this in the past too--I had a cold and dove anyway and forced it. When I went to the dr. she saw I had bruised the eardrums. I was out of the water for a few weeks and was given eardrops (I don't remember what). Good luck.

 

[TSandM]

This sounds like classic barotrauma. Dandy Don's got the best link, which is the video above.

 

[BTravlin]

I had a similar problem and the doctor told me to take some Sudafed. Said I had fluid build up in the ears. Check with your doctor to confirm.

 

[z3r0c00l]

I often have residual water - humidity in my ears after I dive or snorkel. In salt water it just goes away, in fresh water it can cause infections (particularly when I dive in the anoxic slime found in ponds and lakes). I strongly suggest you use ear drops to remove all the accumulated ear wax, this will only help you equalize in the future, and this will probably fix your problem. Dont stick things in there that are larger than your pinky. After a dirty dive (fresh water), I use rubbing alcohol to clean my ears out, and I use the anti-wax drops every 6 months. Dont get the alcohol in your eyes or mouth. Best of luck! Please be gentle with your ears at all times.

 

[gary-ramey]

I did have some problems equalizing, however, I made it to the bottom. Everytime I felt a little pain on descent I went up about 5 feet and equalized and decended again. I repeated this until I made it to the bottom. Going up, I felt a little pain, but again, not extreme or sharp.

Location: Owatonna, MN

I'd have to ask you to differentiate between the word "pain" that you used and pressure. You should never feel pain. If you do, then ascending 5ft may not have been enough and then you probably tried to forcefully clear at that point. You may have damaged your eardrum a little and the advice to seek an ENT is a good one. Next time you descend, clear at the surface and put positive pressure in your ears. Clear early and often as you descend. If need be, stop, wiggle your jaw, try to swallow. If you feel pressure on your ears, you need to ascend a little, clear and then proceed down. If you ever feel pain you should stop and ascend until the pain goes away. If you can't clear, you shouldn't dive. There should be zero pain, or pressure, when ascending. If you experience this its because your ears were congested before you dived. Once you forcefully equalize them to depth and try to ascend you get a reverse block on the way up.

As a side note, did the swimmers ear sting at all when you put it in? If not, you might try it again. I've had this water in the ear feeling for days...and yes internal sounds are louder. Using Swimmers Ear before, and after, I dive usually keeps my ears clear.

On another note, my wife has trouble clearing and finds it easier to swim in a slow, circular descent, rather than butt down (usually the beginners position of choice)

 

[DandyDon]

My home bud used to have hell equalizing. He tried taking generic sudafed and antihistamines the day before and the morning before dives, equalizing the day before the morning before dives, but he got the most help from the video linked above. We still stop at 10-15 ft to double check each others' gear, tank valves and such, and this gives him a minute to adjust when I really want to drop like a rock...