Potential middle ear barotrauma (new diver)

[merli027]

Hi all,
Brand new diver here. Completed OW last June and I’m in Mexico now to get some experience. After my 1st day of diving got some ear congestion and cotton ball like feeling. Went to a doc here to get my ear looked at and he said it was barotrauma but was unclear and said I could dive again in a day or two. Went to a different doctor and he said it wasn’t and prescribed ear drops and to wait 7 days before diving. Has anyone had experience with barotrauma and are eardrops okay to use if is barotrauma? Thinking of waiting to see a doctor back in the US before taking anything. Plan on giving DAN a call in the morning as well! Just curious if anyone else has had a similar experience!

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi all,
Brand new diver here. Completed OW last June and I’m in Mexico now to get some experience. After my 1st day of diving got some ear congestion and cotton ball like feeling. Went to a doc here to get my ear looked at and he said it was barotrauma but was unclear and said I could dive again in a day or two. Went to a different doctor and he said it wasn’t and prescribed ear drops and to wait 7 days before diving. Has anyone had experience with barotrauma and are eardrops okay to use if is barotrauma? Thinking of waiting to see a doctor back in the US before taking anything. Plan on giving DAN a call in the morning as well! Just curious if anyone else has had a similar experience!

Hi, sorry to hear about this, especially on what sounds like your first dive trip. Ear drops have zero effect on middle ear barotrauma. The conservative thing to do would be to avoid diving for the rest to the trip because of the risk of further damage. You could try equalizing your ears on the surface with a gentle Valsalva (pinch and blow) or Frenzel (pinch and swallow) maneuver. Do NOT force a Valsalva maneuver as this could cause permanent inner ear damage. If you're able to clear the affected ear, you could try diving again, descending slowly and continuously equalizing your ears before it feels like you have to. If you can't clear the ear on the surface, you won't be able to in the water either. Again, do not force a Valsalva.

What follows is not direct medical advice, just some general education. Some people find an NSAID like ibuprofen beneficial in situations like this. Oral pseudoephedrine is plus/minus in my own experience, though some divers swear by it. Oxymetazoline (Afrin, others) nasal spray can be pretty effective, though it has to be used wisely and timed correctly because if it wears off on the bottom it could lead to reverse block and injury on ascent. It also has a rebound effect if used continuously for longer than about 3 days. If you choose any of these personally, it's up to you to use them correctly and assess how they might affect your health.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[merli027]

Hi, thanks so much for your reply! I’m definitely not diving anymore this trip! Want to be conservative! I do believe it was me forcing a Valsalva that caused this in my left ear so will be avoiding that until my ear is healed!
If any other newer divers are reading this my symptoms were muffled hearing, feeling a full ear, and then fluid draining my ear. The full feeling in my ear also leaves and comes back again a day later. DAN does recommend getting a doctor to look at your ear which I did do! The doctor gave me antibiotics and ear drops which I am taking but I will also be scheduling an ENT appointment when I’m back home in Seattle.
@Duke Dive Medicine any ENT recommendations in the Seattle area?

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi, thanks so much for your reply! I’m definitely not diving anymore this trip! Want to be conservative! I do believe it was me forcing a Valsalva that caused this in my left ear so will be avoiding that until my ear is healed!
If any other newer divers are reading this my symptoms were muffled hearing, feeling a full ear, and then fluid draining my ear. The full feeling in my ear also leaves and comes back again a day later. DAN does recommend getting a doctor to look at your ear which I did do! The doctor gave me antibiotics and ear drops which I am taking but I will also be scheduling an ENT appointment when I’m back home in Seattle.
@Duke Dive Medicine any ENT recommendations in the Seattle area?

DM sent.