Stuffy feeling in ear

[scubaapril11]

Hey guys....I'm new to Scuba Board and also kinda new to diving...I took a diving course through my college course a year ago but my certification dives kept getting postponed for one reason or another...I finally got certified this past weekend and I'm super happy that I've finally been able to do it .

But...after my first day of diving, I felt like my right ear was pretty stuffy. I'd had a little trouble equalizing but I did equalize properly eventually. I just thought there was water in my ear so I tried to clear it with rubbing alcohol, I've been doing that since I was a kid and it had worked in the past. This time, it didn't, but I just kept going on with my day and eventually the stuffy feeling cleared up and by the next day I was completely fine.

So on day 2 of diving, I was good to go, once again I had some trouble equalizing but got it done. I finished my dives that day, and once again there was the stuffy feeling so I just thought "Okay, it will clear up in a couple of hours like it did yesterday".

But now it's more or less 24 hours after the dives and I still have the feeling. There's no pain, I can still hear, but I just have the full/stuffy feeling.

Have any of you guys had this, should I see a doctor, should I be worried and how might this affect my future in diving...diving is something I want to keep doing, I don't want this holding me back.

Thanks y'all

 

[Bubbletrubble]

You probably have a common ear injury associated with scuba diving -- barotitis media (middle ear barotrauma).

Ear drops (various formulations) may help with preventing outer ear infections (otitis externa, a.k.a. "swimmer's ear")...but won't help with middle ear barotrauma.

Read this article on the Divers Alert Network website. Follow the author's recommendations.

Decongestants may help. Don't dive or fly.
If it doesn't clear up in another day, you may want to start thinking about seeing a healthcare professional. If you have any other associated symptoms (ear pain, pronounced deficits in hearing, dizziness, fever, etc.), you should probably see a physician as soon as possible.

Click on the link in my sig to watch a video by Dr. Kay about "ear fear." Learn about the various techniques (there are several) for ear equalization. Figure out which method works best for you. Bear in mind that you need to equalize early and often during descent.

Hope this helps...

 

[rk288]

Sounds like wax build up. I spend an enormous time on the phone in my work and my left ear accumulates a lot of wax. A definite problem for diving in fact it could be serious. Used to be I would need to get cleaned out every 3 to 5 years but once I started diving I have it done annually as part of my physical.

 

[Protist]

Ears Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist is who you should see.

Even if it is just a waxy build up, it's better to be safe then sorry.

 

[TSandM]

I understand from your other post that you have been diagnosed with middle ear barotrauma, which was by far and away the most likely diagnosis. It would be quite coincidental to have a problem with impacted cerumen (earwax) suddenly become symptomatic after diving.

Middle ear barotrauma is sadly common among new divers. I believe this is due to a combination of things: Instructors do not spend enough time with students, discussing methods for equalizing and ensuring that the students actually UNDERSTAND them. And new divers are often so overwhelmed with the number of things they have to manage on descent, that ear clearing takes a back seat and isn't done until the ears are uncomfortable or even painful. By that time, the damage is done.

The good news is that the vast majority of barotrauma does resolve, and you can be a little more proactive about equalizing next time.