Plugged ear for 5 days

[vbcoachchris]

I am an avid diver 2-3 times a week and have never had this problem in the past.. I was helping with an Open Water class on Saturday and while clearing on my last dive of the day, I hearded a sqeeking noise. When I got out of the water, it felt like I had water in my ear. I used "swimmers ear" drops and suitifed with no effect. I dove to 40 ft Sunday to finish the OW class an was able to clear fine . It is now Wednesday and my ear still feels pluged. I do not have any pain, just a clogged sensation. Any ideas what is wrong?

 

[ParamedicDiver1]

One thing it might be is a clogged or inflamed Eustachian tube. Try taking some Sudafed if you think it is clogged or maybe Aleve if you think it is inflamed.

 

[mstudley]

Go see a doctor (ENT). Even if they tell you nothing is really wrong at least you got checked out. If you enjoy diving at all don't screw around when it comes to your ears.

 

[Saturation]

Go see a doctor (ENT). Even if they tell you nothing is really wrong at least you got checked out. If you enjoy diving at all don't screw around when it comes to your ears.

Concur. Symptoms of blockage is often ear wax. Follow instructions around a do-it-yourself ear wax removal kit. If persistent > 7 days, see a healthcare pro. Commonly, the next issue is a serous effusion which improves without Rx in about 7-10 days, and slowly returns to normal.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I am an avid diver 2-3 times a week and have never had this problem in the past.. I was helping with an Open Water class on Saturday and while clearing on my last dive of the day, I hearded a sqeeking noise. When I got out of the water, it felt like I had water in my ear. I used "swimmers ear" drops and suitifed with no effect. I dove to 40 ft Sunday to finish the OW class an was able to clear fine . It is now Wednesday and my ear still feels pluged. I do not have any pain, just a clogged sensation. Any ideas what is wrong?

I had a similar problem in the past, in my case it was a wax buildup on the INSIDE of my ear, by this I mean it was located to the inside of my eardrum. Ear wax removal kits, and sudafed had no effect on my problem since the kit could not reach the wax and the sudafed did nothing to breakdown the wax. For me the only solution was a visit to my local Doctor and a prescription for an appropriate medication.

The problem was resolved in about a week.

Mark Vlahos