Snorkeling as an option w/middle ear barotrauma?

[0garibaldi0]

I didn't know where to post this since it involves several topics. I just got certified and in the process, sustained a
probable case of barotitis media (muffled sound, pressure sensation). Problem is, I already booked a trip to Grand Cayman in about 9 days. Assuming that my ears will not be dive-ready until then, I was hoping that I could at least snorkel with earplugs, if there are any snorkeling sites there.

Does anyone know if it's safe to do surface swimming with earplugs when you have ear probs? Or do I need to stay out of the water completely (which would REALLY suck)?

 

[doctormike]

Hi, Garibaldi...!

I almost NEVER tell people what to do online, but I'll make an exception here....

Middle ear problems (barotrauma) and outer ear problems (swimmer's ear) are completely different processes and have nothing to do with each other. They are commonly confused.

As long as you are sure of the diagnosis (that is, you have had your ears examined and have determined what the problem is), there is no reason that you shouldn't be able to snorkel on the surface after barotrauma.

Mike

 

[0garibaldi0]

Hi, Garibaldi...!

I almost NEVER tell people what to do online, but I'll make an exception here....

Middle ear problems (barotrauma) and outer ear problems (swimmer's ear) are completely different processes and have nothing to do with each other. They are commonly confused.

As long as you are sure of the diagnosis (that is, you have had your ears examined and have determined what the problem is), there is no reason that you shouldn't be able to snorkel on the surface after barotrauma.

Mike

Thanks for your response. I'm pretty sure it's barotrauma. That's what someone from DAN advised and I had difficulty with equalization during both dives. My Dr. (who doesn't know anything about diving) saw red eardrums but didn't say anything about the outer canal. If I can snorkel, I'll be happy with that!! I might use earplugs just as a precautionary measure since I might also have an infection due to the redness.

 

[TSandM]

Have a look at Dr. Kay's ear video . . . barotrauma can cause a very red drum that looks much like an infection. But even a middle ear infection wouldn't keep you from swimming or snorkeling. Outer ear infections, otitis externa, is a different condition, presenting with ear pain and pain when you move the pinna (the part of your ear you can grab), and swelling of the canal. Your doctor, dive savvy or not, should have been able to distinguish between outer ear and middle ear problems.

 

[doctormike]

Your doctor, dive savvy or not, should have been able to distinguish between outer ear and middle ear problems.

Amen to that.

I hate to come off as disparaging towards a doctor that I don't know (and he or she may be great!)... However, we teach our ENT residents that if they are referred a patient and the referring doctor states that the eardrums are "a little red", that pretty much guarantees that the eardrums were not seen, or that they were seen an the doctor wasn't sure what was going on.

Outer ear problems: red, swollen skin of the ear canal, usually filled with wet earwax.

Middle ear problems:

(1) barotitis - fluid, possibly with blood, behind the eardrum, confirmed by looking at the drum, or by tympanometry (a test to confirm middle ear pressure).

(2) acute otitis media - pus behind the eardrum, very rarely seen in adults, and usually not associated with diving.

Red eardrums: Occasionally seen when examining a child who has been crying a lot, or as an extension of an outer ear infection (debris on the eardrum), but this really isn't a sign of much in and of itself. The blood vessels on the eardrum can be more prominent with an acute otitis media, but there should also be yellow pus in the middle ear itself.

We have this discussion routinely here on scubaboard.

I might use earplugs just as a precautionary measure since I might also have an infection due to the redness.

Do what you like, but this sentence suggests to me that no one with ear experience has examined you. Earplugs are not good things to use in general, they trap debris, water and sweat in the ear. Some people really need them when swimming because of an extreme sensitivity to water exposure (or because of a perforated eardrum), but if you never needed them before, I see no reason to start now without a good exam and a reason....

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Listen to doctormike. And thank you, doctormike for you informative posts on this topic, which I have downloaded, copied, and filed in my drawer of important information from authoritative sources.
DivemasterDennis

 

[doctormike]

Listen to doctormike. And thank you, doctormike for you informative posts on this topic, which I have downloaded, copied, and filed in my drawer of important information from authoritative sources.
DivemasterDennis

Thanks so much for your kind words! Always happy to chime in...

 

[Nautica2706]

Had both happened to me on my 1st 2 trips out lol...

1st trip was my OW cert, guess which one..? yep middle ear baro..(dry muffled sound as opposed to 'wet' deafness like if you have water trapped). I didnt go see the doc for like a week or so (hope it will go away by itself), then gave up and went to see one. Doc prescribed me some anti-inflammation pills and vitamins. Ear healed after 4 days lol.

A week later was my 2nd trip, it was a 2 days/5dives short LOB, got myself the outer ear infection. i didnt know at first, thought it was the middle ear baro, but my outer ear started to hurt.., a little touch to the outside hurts, chewing hurts..., after 5 days I decided to see the doc. He told me what it was and gave me the same medication...anti inflammation and vitamins lol. Ear healed in 4 days. Then the next week i went for another trip and all is fine..no more ear problems.

Funny thing is..now my right ear (the problematic one) doesnt have to be equalised as much as before...lol

Doc told me this: Middle ear baro happens if you dont do your equalising well enough. Outer ear infection can be avoided by not scratching your ear canals after dives and at the minimum rinse them with fresh water.

 

[wtcreaux]

The other concern is ruptured ear drum (Tympanic membrane TM) which is readily discernible with visualization of the TM. If this is the case, do NOT put anything into ears (without your doctor's approval)(Ciprodex ear drops being the exception).

If someone cannot visualize the eardrum (maybe due to swelling or drainage, as seen with otitis externa (AKA swimmer's ear), I ASSUME (yes, I know what that breaks down to) a rupture and treat accordingly.

 

[0garibaldi0]

I just noticed the newer responses and wanted to add that my primary doctor did prescribe oral antibiotics and ear drops (ciprodex). He interpreted the redness primarily as an infection and I did mention equalization but it was obvious he wasn't clear on what that's about. But when he saw the my other ear drum was also a little red, he knew there was something more than an infection.

On my own, I've been taking Alleve and phenylephedrine. I just saw another thread that pseudoephedrine is better, so I just got it . Four days into this my ear still feels full but slightly better, and hearing is muffled.

So, DAN gave me a referral and unbelievably, in all of So. Calif, they only have one ENT in Los Angeles, about an hour's drive from me. The next closest is in San Francisco! If there are any ENTs in so cal on this board, it would be great if you guys can get hooked up with DAN. I will be seeing him this afternoon and will provide an update.

Thanks for your responses.