Still having problems equalizing

[Samson]

On the surface do you feel/hear a change when you stop blowing? (I know I do.) If so, then do not descend further until you hear both noises -- the change when you blow and the change when you stop blowing. Do it every foot until you get this worked out.

I feel nothing when I blow on the surface or in water. I don't think blowing is a technique that works for me.

I feel/hear a change on the surface when I move my jaw, yawn, swallow, etc. but I don't feel that underwater no matter how many times I try those.

 

[inquis]

I feel nothing when I blow on the surface or in water. I don't think blowing is a technique that works for me.

I feel/hear a change on the surface when I move my jaw, yawn, swallow, etc. but I don't feel that underwater no matter how many times I try those.

In that case, I strongly urge you look at the techniques using air pressure other than Valsalva (linked above). Work this out at the surface, as it only gets harder underwater.

 

[tursiops]

In that case, I strongly urge you look at the techniques using air pressure other than Valsalva (linked above). Work this out at the surface, as it only gets harder underwater.

Agree completely. I found when teaching that Valsalva did not work for many of the students, nor does it work for me. And, worse, it is dangerous if you blow too hard. At least try Lowry and Toynbee; Frenzel, of course, if you can make it work.

 

[booya620]

Question, have you gone to your primary care physician and made an appointment to see an ENT specialist.
That would be my first stop maybe then can help,
I purchased an otovent (cheap balloon you inflate through your nose) it helped me equalize better. I do it 2 or 3x a day to keep middle ears open. .left ear never wanted to equalizer.
They also make pro vent ear plugs which some people find helps.

 

[GreggS]

Question, have you gone to your primary care physician and made an appointment to see an ENT specialist.
That would be my first stop maybe then can help,
I purchased an otovent (cheap balloon you inflate through your nose) it helped me equalize better. I do it 2 or 3x a day to keep middle ears open. .left ear never wanted to equalizer.
They also make pro vent ear plugs which some people find helps.

I actually use Doc's ProPlugs, not because I have difficulty equalizing, but because, for some reason, I have extreme difficulty getting water to drain from my ears after a dive, which in turn causes ear infections. I use them to minimize the amount of water that does enter my ears during dives. It helps tremendously.

And before anyone starts suggesting it, I've tried several different "ear beers" and none of them help. None.

 

[Samson]

Question, have you gone to your primary care physician and made an appointment to see an ENT specialist.
That would be my first stop maybe then can help,
I purchased an otovent (cheap balloon you inflate through your nose) it helped me equalize better. I do it 2 or 3x a day to keep middle ears open. .left ear never wanted to equalizer.
They also make pro vent ear plugs which some people find helps.

So after my first failed pool dive a few years ago, I did go to my ENT and he told me my turbinate muscles in my nose were inflamed which would have prevented me from equalizing.

I did go back before my most recent dive to fill out my medical form and he did check my ears/nose/throat and did not observe inflamed turbinates so I figured that wasn't the problem, at least this time.

 

[dcvassar]

I’m having similar issues. I had a try dive in a pool a couple days ago. In the 12ft section, I would try pinching my nose but as I got closer to the bottom I’d get ear fullness and pain. I could equalize with swallowing, but find it difficult to get myself to swallow as the fullness increases or with the regulator in my mouth. It didn’t help that I would then start breathing faster and pop up and back down constantly between 6-12 feet and have to do it all over again.