New Diver - Water in ears problem.

[BoneCrusher]

Ok. I'm a new diver and have a question.

While diving the the pool I did not have this problem. But, for my open water dives and my dives after certification, have had problems with water in my ears after diving. Right after the dive, my ears are fine, but maybe about 24 hrs later, I get water in my ears and have a heck of a time getting it out. After my open water dive weekend my left ear had water in it and started to get an outer ear infection. Used a solution of alcohol and white vinegar to clear that up.

Now, dove this past sunday and my right ear is doing the same. Does anyone have any tricks to fix this??

Thanks for your help...
New diver!

 

[F106A]

Ok. I'm a new diver and have a question.

While diving the the pool I did not have this problem. But, for my open water dives and my dives after certification, have had problems with water in my ears after diving. Right after the dive, my ears are fine, but maybe about 24 hrs later, I get water in my ears and have a heck of a time getting it out. After my open water dive weekend my left ear had water in it and started to get an outer ear infection. Used a solution of alcohol and white vinegar to clear that up.

Now, dove this past sunday and my right ear is doing the same. Does anyone have any tricks to fix this??

Thanks for your help...
New diver!

I don't think your problem is all that unusual. Nor this particular solution:
During trips to the Caymans I'd average four dives a day over a nine day period. Frequently I'd have some irritation or discomfort towards the end of the trip. Since then I've started using Auro-Dri drops after every dive. It's eliminated the water-in-ears feeling as well as preventing any irritation. A couple of weeks back I had a local two-tanker, around 110'. Forgot the drops and, bingo, irritated left ear. Dove a double locally this past weekend, around 145'. Used the drops; ears perfect. Like always. Maybe something to consider. Good luck.

 

[underboats]

Mike,
We dive in dirty water most of the time. If we don't use alcohol in our ears every day we get an outer infection within a few days. If I don't use it I have the same problem and have water deep in my ears all the time. I use alcohol every night and make sure it goes way down in my ear, it will dry up quickly and I don't have much of a problem. Some ears are prone to a quick infection and require using alcohol after every dive. Chuck

 

[stairman]

I use ear beer religiously before and after a dive.1/2 alcohol 1/2 vinegar,homeade its dirt cheap.Leave it in at least 30 seconds.

 

[ronbeau]

OK. I'm a new diver and have a question.

While diving the the pool I did not have this problem. But, for my open water dives and my dives after certification, have had problems with water in my ears after diving. Right after the dive, my ears are fine, but maybe about 24 hrs later, I get water in my ears and have a heck of a time getting it out. After my open water dive weekend my left ear had water in it and started to get an outer ear infection. Used a solution of alcohol and white vinegar to clear that up.

Now, dove this past Sunday and my right ear is doing the same. Does anyone have any tricks to fix this??

Thanks for your help...
New diver!

I use a mixture of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% white vinegar. The vinegar keeps up the acidic level in your ear while the isopropyl alcohol acts as a drying agent.

 

[BoneCrusher]

Thanks for the responses. I will start using it more often and not waiting until there is a problem.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I had this problem and it was a little bit of wax at the back of the ear drum that was catching water and it felt like tons of water trapped in my ear. My doctor cleaned both my ears and I've never had the problem again. You can get those kind of cleaning kits at most drug stores. Just keep up the alcohol after each dive trip.

 

[SkipperJohn]

I always have ear issues. In fact even when I feel fine my doctor will do a routine exam and ask if my ears hurt "because they are inflamed".
I never heard of using alcohol in your ears. Is this OK to do? Any downside? I was taught to use peroxide. As for over the counter remedies, there are a few products designed for swimmers with such problems. They are oil based. I think the oil is designed to loosen wax and perhaps bond with the water. I don't know for sure but it works. The peroxide is kinda cool. When it stops bubbling you know you are done.

 

[CamG]

Welcome to SB "MichScubaMike"! Sounds like you have been using the right stuff already! After my first OW dives I had ear problems right away, lots of surface debris and poor clearing technique had stressed my ears out pretty bad. My instructor gave me the 1/3 70% alcohol, 1/3 white vinegar, and 1/3 hydrogen peroxide solution. It was amazing and with out it I would probably not been able to complete my training that week end. Since that I use it after every day of diving, I have no more ear issues at all. I spoke to my ENT and told him of the solution, his only comment was be careful to not remove all the wax and get the ear to dry. Thus the once a day use instead of after every dive. I have seen the solution dry up and help recovery of a ear infection, by repeated use {about four times a day}. Preventative care can make diving so much more enjoyable, don't leave home without it! CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

 

[ScubaBill1955]

I haven't had an ear problem yet but if I do I'd like to know what is the proper way to put the solution in your ear.
Thanks,
Bill