Safe to dive? Ear surgery 40 years ago...

[though13]

Hello,
My spouse and I are thinking of getting our PADI Open Water certification this year. We have both been on one "beginner" dive before. My husband had a prosthesis put in his ear when he was 5. The reason for the prosthesis was that he had frequent ear infections, which created scar tissue, and he had problems hearing as a result. His body rejected the prosthesis, and it punctured his ear drum, so he had corrective surgery two years later (when he was 7). After that, he has never had issues with his ears, and has no problem equalizing on planes, or on the beginner dive (which was at 35 ft). Because of how long ago the surgery was, we cannot find any records of the exact surgery completed (name of the procedure). Our friends who are certified (ranging from open water to rescue diver) say that he should be fine, since he can equalize in a plane and on the beginner dive. Some websites suggest that the medical waiver form is just a liability waiver for the dive shop. Does anyone have any ideas on this? We really want to do it, and we feel like he would be fine, but wanted to get the opinion of some additional experts.
Thanks!!

 

[oly5050user]

Do not lie on medical. Go to doctor, get approval.

 

[Scubagolf]

Get a referral to an ENT near you with diving expertise from Divers Alert Network:

 

[BoltSnap]

Get in touch with DAN and let them guide you in getting referred to an ENT who has the expertise to help you with this matter.

 

[Streydog]

I would do it as soon as possible. I emailed DAN for a referral and was given two options in my area. When I contacted the two offices one could see me in 2 weeks and the other was a month out. I then called quite a few different ENT Docs In the area because many that were listed under my insurance network only dealt with allergies.

 

[Neilwood]

I would second the opinions above - it is well worth getting it checked out by an ENT specialist (preferably one with diving knowledge).

Without the specific knowledge and a proper examination, I would suggest that any opinion otherwise would be pure conjecture.

My gut feeling is, bearing in mind his experience on flights and a try dive, he will probably be ok. Better to get the check done.

 

[happy-diver]

just go diving

 

[sunshower]

Yesterday I had a routine appointment with a doctor that I found through DAN; she works with the recompression chambers at a local facility. It was really great to interact with a doctor who understands dive physiology. So, as others have suggested, give DAN a call and pay a visit to a knowledgeable doctor, it’s worth it. Good luck.

 

[Neilwood]

just go diving

I would not suggest this without a proper check.

If there is a problem (which might only become apparent at greater depth), you run the risk of a block either ascending or descending. While that risk can often be managed (with sufficient care, experience and most of all air to breathe while doing a VERY slow or staged ascent/descent), if you do get a block it comes with the possibility of barotrauma or ear drum perforation. If you end up in a situation where a rapid ascent is required (equipment malfunction, buddy issue etc), you put your ears at serious risk.

For the time involved in investigating this properly, I would suggest that it is a small price to offset the risks.

 

[Addicted2H2O]

A someone who had "prosthesis", which I think you mean to say "tubes" as a child, I can say with absolutely certainty that if he has no issues equalizing then he will be just fine. I had tubes in my ears 4 times by the time I was 4 years old and had the last set removed at age 9. I have lots of scar tissue in my ears and have zero trouble equalizing, no ear infections, no problems whatsoever. If he feels like he should go see an ENT then absolutely by all means he should go and get checked out. The tympanic membrane (eardrum) is very good at healing itself and with a rupture usually takes 6-8 weeks to heal. I know this because I ruptured my right one during my first go 'round in the pool sessions doing a pike dive and trying to equalize around 9 ft deep. It didn't hurt, but I realized after surfacing that I could blow bubbles out of my ear the rest of the day, so I was benched until cleared by an ENT. I went, was diagnose with a pinhole rupture and sidelined for 6 weeks. I waited a year and tried again and have been diving ever since.

As far as the medical waiver, I don't recall whether or not any of them ask about tubes, etc. but again if he feels it might be an issue, he should go see an ENT. But to my knowledge, having a history of tubes as a child, which is quite common, isn't a contraindication for diving. In other words it won't keep him from being able to dive.

I hope this helps answer your question. If you or he need to talk just shoot me a PM. I'm happy to help any way I can.