Sore ears after multiple dives?

[johndiver999]

My ears can get sore, especially when I do more than 25-30 dives per day on multiple days. As others have said, it is helpful to over pressurize the ear drum before descent and then try to keep the pressure positive during the descent. Descending rapidly is normally not a problem for me, as long as I do this, but I do try to be gentle with my ears.

Also, if diving consecutive days, I will use the alcohol/vinegar mix BEFORE going in and after diving. Placing the vinegar in there and trying to keep the ear canal a little acidic during the day, seems to help reduce swimmers ear and the associated soreness that often precedes it.

 

[Ty Hamby]

I experience the same issue as the OP describes. I use a product called EarShield. It is a tea tree oil substance that helps lubricate the eardrum. 1-2ATA diving really puts your ear drum through a workout from the pressure changes. Combine that with multiple dives over multiple days and sore ears is the result. Here is what the manufacturer claims. "A unique blend of water repellent Olive, Mineral & Tea Tree Oil into the outer ear, finely coating the auditory canal, giving a conditioning water repellent and cleansing action."
Good luck, share with us any solution you come up with.

 

[wildernessdave]

I experience the same issue as the OP describes. I use a product called EarShield. It is a tea tree oil substance that helps lubricate the eardrum. 1-2ATA diving really puts your ear drum through a workout from the pressure changes. Combine that with multiple dives over multiple days and sore ears is the result. Here is what the manufacturer claims. "A unique blend of water repellent Olive, Mineral & Tea Tree Oil into the outer ear, finely coating the auditory canal, giving a conditioning water repellent and cleansing action."
Good luck, share with us any solution you come up with.

Thank you for sharing. Someone else mentioned something with tea tree oil in it that they use. I will give this a try to see if it helps.

 

[GreggS]

I had the same issues when using the Valsalva Maneuver. My ears would not just get sore but would just hurt. A few years ago, I finally figured out how to equalize by just thrusting my jaw forward. It took a while to get it down pat with the 2nd stage in my mouth but I finally got it. I can equalize at will and find myself dong it without thinking. I haven't had to squeeze and blow since and my ears are all the much better for it.

 

[wildernessdave]

I had the same issues when using the Valsalva Maneuver. My ears would not just get sore but would just hurt. A few years ago, I finally figured out how to equalize by just thrusting my jaw forward. It took a while to get it down pat with the 2nd stage in my mouth but I finally got it. I can equalize at will and find myself dong it without thinking. I haven't had to squeeze and blow since and my ears are all the much better for it.

I am going to try finding a new way to equalize. Thanks for the suggestion. I am glad you found a way to equalize that works better for you.