Pressure in ears???

[jcanino]

I hope I am putting this in the right forum. In two weeks, my family and I will be travelling to an all inclusive resort in the Turks that offers a free resort course. My wife and both kids (13 & 15) are considering the course. My 13 year old has had some occasional discomfort in her ears when flying and just recently said she felt pressure when going to the bottom of an eight foot pool. Should she avoid SCUBA diving or will ear plugs alleviate the pressure she feels?

Thanks!

Joe Canino

 

[rmediver2002]

She should be feeling a pressure change, to compensate for the change she (or anyone else for that matter) will have to add some additional air to the middle ear space.

The only entry point for this is the eustachian tube at the back of the throat.

To add air to the space and equalize (when the plane is decending or when going down in the water column) pinch your nose and very gently blow some air into your nose. You should feel your ears pop slightly (they may pop at slightly differnet rates)

Another common method is to chew gum when on an airplane, this stretching motion of the jaw may cause the ears to clear on some individuals.

You can all practice this method on the surface and in the pool prior top going on the trip and if it does not work then perhaps consider seeing a specialist about it to ensure your physiology allows the space to be cleared.

I would like to stress that the use of any type of blockage on the outer ear will cause a squeeze, with the external ear canal blocked there is no way of adding air to that space. Never decend in the water (even a shallow pool) with ear plugs in...

Have a great trip!!

Jeff Lane