gert7to3
Contributor
- Messages
- 1,167
- Reaction score
- 120
- # of dives
- 200 - 499
Recently finished a trip to Bonaire using a Pro Ear mask for the first time. The mask worked as advertised.
I have a history of tympanoplasty (reconstruction of the eardrum) in one ear. I have had a couple of instances of pin-hole leaks occur while diving. The pressure stress on my ears was much less with this mask. It was much easier to equalize. I didn't have the discomfort of a wet ear canal post diving.
The edge of the mask under the nose seems pretty thin. I had some sealing difficulty in a pool dive, but close shaving improved this problem. I also found that pushing the mask up against my nose helped. The bottom of the nose cup on the mask seemed a little too flat. Evacuating water was a little difficult at first, but tipping the end of the nose cup with my thumb up made complete clearing possible.
You have to be a little careful about getting the earcup skirts flat against your head. Sort of sliding them back, then forward gathered my ears out of the way. I got a short haircut before the trip. Only had one instance of an earcup partially flooding. This was caused by small roll in a cup skirt. I easlily corrected this under water.
Sound perception was the greatest difference. Due to the airspace over my ears, sound was slightly directional underwater. Regulator exhaust air noise was less and you didn't get the pounding/buffeting sensation from bubbles so common with bare ears. I also had to get used to hearing air exhausting from the earcups. I couldn't hear some underwater sounds as well, like parrot fish chomping and shrimps clicking.
Finally, upon surfacing I found that the cups would remain slightly pressurized. In order to hear you needed to equalize this by venting the earcups.
Snorkeling was nicer, there was no water slapping in and out of my ears.
Overall I am happy with my purchase. It's worth considering if you have minor ear issues.
I have a history of tympanoplasty (reconstruction of the eardrum) in one ear. I have had a couple of instances of pin-hole leaks occur while diving. The pressure stress on my ears was much less with this mask. It was much easier to equalize. I didn't have the discomfort of a wet ear canal post diving.
The edge of the mask under the nose seems pretty thin. I had some sealing difficulty in a pool dive, but close shaving improved this problem. I also found that pushing the mask up against my nose helped. The bottom of the nose cup on the mask seemed a little too flat. Evacuating water was a little difficult at first, but tipping the end of the nose cup with my thumb up made complete clearing possible.
You have to be a little careful about getting the earcup skirts flat against your head. Sort of sliding them back, then forward gathered my ears out of the way. I got a short haircut before the trip. Only had one instance of an earcup partially flooding. This was caused by small roll in a cup skirt. I easlily corrected this under water.
Sound perception was the greatest difference. Due to the airspace over my ears, sound was slightly directional underwater. Regulator exhaust air noise was less and you didn't get the pounding/buffeting sensation from bubbles so common with bare ears. I also had to get used to hearing air exhausting from the earcups. I couldn't hear some underwater sounds as well, like parrot fish chomping and shrimps clicking.
Finally, upon surfacing I found that the cups would remain slightly pressurized. In order to hear you needed to equalize this by venting the earcups.
Snorkeling was nicer, there was no water slapping in and out of my ears.
Overall I am happy with my purchase. It's worth considering if you have minor ear issues.
