Only One Ear is Weird

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Linze1106

Linze1106

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I have just discovered Scuba, even though I have been wanting to try it for a long time. However, when i went down, my Right ear wouldn't equalize. I had to go up a few feet and then VERY slowly come down. I would squeeze my nose and blow out every few minutes and nothing happened. It didn't terribly hurt but it was uncomfortable. Do you think just taking a sudafed would slove the problem? Or just a non-drowsy de-congestive?
 
I suggest not pushing it.
Have your ears/nose been checked by an ENT?
Rather than treat the effect, you might want to determine the cause of the problem.
 
Linze1106:
I have just discovered Scuba, even though I have been wanting to try it for a long time. However, when i went down, my Right ear wouldn't equalize. I had to go up a few feet and then VERY slowly come down. I would squeeze my nose and blow out every few minutes and nothing happened. It didn't terribly hurt but it was uncomfortable. Do you think just taking a sudafed would slove the problem? Or just a non-drowsy de-congestive?
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Sudafed is used by some divers when they are in a situation where they have a cold, but still want to dive. A expensive exotic vacation is an example, or a DM who dives for a living. However those divers know how to properly clear their ears, and are able to do so under normal circumstances, they just need some help in that situation. I have read about divers who take sudafed before most dives, and I'm not sure what is up with that.

In your case there could be two problems (assuming you don't have a cold). The first is you are not clearing early or often enough. The second is that you have something preventing you from clearinig. The first problem is easily solved, clear early and often. I generally clear my ears before starting a decent.

Do you have issues when you travel on an airplane, or go into the mountains, or take elevator rides in tall buildings (like 40+ stories)? If so then you certainly need to see and EMT. If you generally have no dificulty in situations where you are changing altitude quickly, then maybe try and work on clearing eariler.

It's certainly a good idea to see an EMT regardless. You could just have wax buildup in your right ear. Or you could have other problems. Ear injury is the number one diver injury, by far. You really don't want to blow out an eardrum, and add to that statistic :D
 
My left ear is the one I have the most problems equalizing. The right is no problem. According to my ENT, the eustachian tube in the left ear is a bit pinched by some bony tissue. To help with equalizing, I now clear my ears a few times before I get in the water and just before I make my descent. This seems to help.
 
ok, well i dont' have problems with airplanes or high altidues and i did clear my ears the whole time i was under. and as soon as i got in and about a foot down. I think i will go see a doctor about it just to make sure, since i want to be doing this for awhile.
 
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