Over-equalized ear?

[Kristheunicorn]

Hi all,
I am a not super experienced diver. This weekend I have a diving trip planned with coworkers. One of them is a dive master, and because my last dive was more than a year ago we did a refresh dive yesterday. We didn't go deep at all (max 7 m), mainly refreshed all the skills. Despite not diving super deep, at some point my right ear wasn't equalizing well. Then I think I tried too hard to equalize, putting a little bit too much pressure. I stopped when it felt uncomfortable, and interesting enough I didn't have problems with the ear for the rest of the dive.

Now afterwards I did get some issues again. There is a very mild pain, feeling of fullness and I hear a little bit less well with the right side. This sounds like something that is not super serious and might heal by itself, but probably means I shouldn't dive this weekend To be sure I tried to make an appointment with my GP to have a look at the ear, but they only wanted to schedule an appointment with the assistant for this.

The appointment is tomorrow. But on the phone the assistant told me that she thinks it's just a clot of earwax and that I need to have my ear's syringed. Now for any other issue I think that syringing the ears could be harmful no?

So I'm not feeling super comfortable having this checked out only by the assistant. What are your thoughts? Is a GP assistant qualified to look at this issue? Could she potentially do more harm? However if it is only an earwax problem I can still dive this weekend, so I would like to know. Thanks for your advice!

 

[gamon]

From my experience with ear problems I'd say go for the rinsing of the ear with the syringe, it will only help. I guess if you had a punctured ear drum such a procedure could be problematic but if that was the case I'd think you'd be in serious pain.

 

[Searcaigh]

Syringing the ears to remove wax is not an issue, best let a professional look at your ear rather than risk it.

 

[Kristheunicorn]

Syringing the ears to remove wax is not an issue, best let a professional look at your ear rather than risk it.

So you think I should insist on seeing the GP, rather than only the assistant?

 

[Searcaigh]

Depends on how qualified the assistant is, I am sure if they see something unusual they will refer to their boss.

Even when I had an issue with one of my ears my GP referred me to someone more experienced in ENT matters.

 

[Allen-1]

Regardless of what medical intervention you take beforehand;
1) when you dive - equalize early, often and gently
2) descend/ascend slowly
3) if you feel any pain while changing depth - STOP - reverse direction - equalize.

If you're descending - you can ascend to correct pressure.
If you're ascending - you can descend to correct pressure - but sooner or later, you're gonna have to surface...

Do some research on the different methods of equalization. The valsalva is the most commonly taught, but wiggling your jaw from side to side and swallowing are other methods. Some method or combination of methods may work better for you than others.

 

[Sascha314]

I would bw comfortable with it. They are trained, they are doing the procedure probably always, as such task is not a complicated thing the doctor "waste the time".

If you want to be extra sure, ask the assistant, if the ear looks ok. The assistant knows how it should look like and in case it does seem odd will consult the doctor.

Having said this: Equalizing in shallow is actually the hardest and most important. Thats because the pressure change is much greater relative than to go deeper. I realize myself, that while training in a pool and ascending/descending several times it gets harder to equalize. Also if equalize too often despite being at the same pressure you may experience a little difficulty.


And you need practice. So "preload" before you descend and equalize proactively before you even notice a big change for the first 10m.

In case you realize it gets difficult. Stopp descending, signal your buddy. Ascend 1 to 2m, kind of wiggling your jaw. Maybe pinch then nose and swallow. Maybe try to pinch one nosehole and blow air out of the other like. Or moving your head. Wait two breaths then try your normal equalization. If it works, fine. Descend and equalize frequently.

I am no doctor, thats my personal experience.

 

[KenE]

I will add that getting into a habit of equalizing while driving to the dive site is a good idea. It will exercise the muscles that you haven't likely used since your last dive. It will also let you know if you have congestion or "stuck" ear that is being difficult. Knowing this before the dive is better than finding out on descent.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi all,
I am a not super experienced diver. This weekend I have a diving trip planned with coworkers. One of them is a dive master, and because my last dive was more than a year ago we did a refresh dive yesterday. We didn't go deep at all (max 7 m), mainly refreshed all the skills. Despite not diving super deep, at some point my right ear wasn't equalizing well. Then I think I tried too hard to equalize, putting a little bit too much pressure. I stopped when it felt uncomfortable, and interesting enough I didn't have problems with the ear for the rest of the dive.

Now afterwards I did get some issues again. There is a very mild pain, feeling of fullness and I hear a little bit less well with the right side. This sounds like something that is not super serious and might heal by itself, but probably means I shouldn't dive this weekend To be sure I tried to make an appointment with my GP to have a look at the ear, but they only wanted to schedule an appointment with the assistant for this.

The appointment is tomorrow. But on the phone the assistant told me that she thinks it's just a clot of earwax and that I need to have my ear's syringed. Now for any other issue I think that syringing the ears could be harmful no?

So I'm not feeling super comfortable having this checked out only by the assistant. What are your thoughts? Is a GP assistant qualified to look at this issue? Could she potentially do more harm? However if it is only an earwax problem I can still dive this weekend, so I would like to know. Thanks for your advice!

What you're describing is consistent with ear barotrauma. The forced Valsalva (pinch and blow) equalization you described introduces the possibility of barotrauma of the inner ear, which can be serious. I'd recommend that you ask to be evaluated by an ear/nose/throat physician as soon as possible, especially if you're having any vertigo or nausea. Removing ear wax is unlikely to fix this. I would strongly recommend that you not dive until this is resolved.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Wheeler925]

I will add that getting into a habit of equalizing while driving to the dive site is a good idea. It will exercise the muscles that you haven't likely used since your last dive. It will also let you know if you have congestion or "stuck" ear that is being difficult. Knowing this before the dive is better than finding out on descent.

Yes, Do this. Has helped me quite a bit.