Trouble Equilizing One Ear?

[bolts]

Over the past weekend I took a freediving course, but could only dive to about 5m before my left ear would not equilize any more. My right ear would equilize with no issues, but try as I might, I couldn't get the left one to "pop". I was using the Valsalva technique, and even though I wasn't scuba diving, per se, I'm hoping someone could give me some advice with a similar problem!

The instructor said it may be a physiological problem, since only one ear is having trouble, and when I talked to my mom later that night, she said I did have a history of ear infections as a little kid. I am getting checked out by an ENT doc in the near future, but any tips anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[FreeFloat]

Sounds like you're on the right track.

I found that for myself, since my freediving descents were so fast, teh Valsalva was not effective. In other words it wasa rare day that I could equalize and I blame that on being head-down-fins-up.

I got ahold of a document written by a leading BC freediver Eric Fattah which describes how to teach yourself the Frenzel technique for equalizing. I learned that technique (actually didn't even take me very long to learn!) and went from an 18' PB depth to 40' almost "overnight". Now I find my depth limit is based on my comfort zone and breath-hold ability rather than my ears.

PM me with your email address if you want a copy of the document, Eric has it on his website too but I forget where........

 

[Quarrior]

One thought would be to have the ear that you are having trouble with to be facing the surface when attempting to equalize. For some strange reason this seems to help a bit, at least so I've read here on the board.

 

[bolts]

PM me with your email address if you want a copy of the document, Eric has it on his website too but I forget where........

Actually, the course I took came with an instruction booklet with the aformentioned document in the back. I'll have to give it a closer look soon.

I think one of the big problems is that since I'm a total newbie freediver, I not only have to learn to clear my ears, but do it mighty quick! Doing both of those things simultaneously isn't easy. I will say that I'm not giving up on this yet, I had a blast on the course.

 

[SeanQ]

I had similar trouble when I first started learning to scuba dive. My right ear would equalize easily, but it took a lot more effort to equalize the left ear. I practised the Frenzel technique and the problem dissapeared.

Freefloat: I believe this is the document http://www.ericfattah.com/equalizing.html

 

[MontereyCADiver]

Before diving (free or SCUBA) again, explain the concern with your physician! You could cause barotrauma to your ear!

 

[bolts]

Before diving (free or SCUBA) again, explain the concern with your physician! You could cause barotrauma to your ear!

No worries there. I've been by the doc at the walk-in clinic that I should have a referral sometime next week, so we'll see. Besides, I don't think I'll be doing much diving in the coming months (I'm a big wuss, and it's too cold ). This gives me time to either get treatment on my ear, if necessary, and over the winter learn the Frenzel technique.

I'm still really curious to see if anyone out there has had any other similar experiences and how they came around to correct the problem...?

 

[CathyS]

I'm still really curious to see if anyone out there has had any other similar experiences and how they came around to correct the problem...?

I have had a similar problem several times, most particularly during the first open water dive during my OW class and a couple of dives shortly after I was certified in July. My right ear simply didn't want to clear, so I had to abort the dives. I went to see an ENT. He prescribed Rhinocort nasal spray. This is something I use every morning now, not just on dive days. I don't know if it's the spray that helped or simply getting a little more experience, but I haven't had any problems in my last 9 dives or so. (I have only had 14 dives so far, not including the dives that were part of my OW class, so I'm not drawing on a vast bank of knowledge here!)

 

[SquattingRadishDM]

!

 

[SquattingRadishDM]

Just to add to what has already been said: Try equalising on the surface once every minute for the 10 mins prior to your dive (free or scuba). This might open the eustation tubes (tubes between inner ear and throat by which air travels to equalise the inner ear) and get them used to having air forced through them. Also equalise on the surface just before decending.

Diary products have been known to increase the mucus production and might cause congestion.