Vented Ear Plugs- Anyone have an opinion?

[susan6868]

Heading to Utila and will be doing back to back diving for the first time. I;ve had some trouble in the past and my ENT said I have a eustachian tube that misbehaves....Just got fitted and purchased Doc's Proplugs which are vented and supposed to help me equalize. Anyone have any experience with these? My doc's not a diver so even though he means well, he doesn't have a clue about this. ( I didn't even ask him)
Thanks
Susan

 

[Zippsy]

lots of opinions: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=127815

 

[susan6868]

Thanks Zippsy- still getting used to the Boards. That's all the info I need. I'm gonna wear em!

 

[rawls]

Susan...maybe I'm inappropriately replying to this thread because I'm not familiar with these ear plugs. The first thing that came to mind when I read the post was...masks with purge valves. Sounds like a great idea until they plug up with snot or other "debris" of some sort. Then they fill up with water...end of dive. That's why I'm not to fond of gimmicks, although vented ear plugs may not be gimmicks. Learn how to clear a mask correctly...no need for a purge valve. I have problems with the eustacian tube in my left ear. My solution is to clear every 2-3 feet if necessary and it works for me. For what it's worth....

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Recommend you at least call DAN. Get a second medical opinion from a qualified diving physician.

My son has 'problem eustacian tubes'. Took him to an ENT who is also a diver. She recommended Afrin nasal spray and a prescription sudafed. Specifically did not recommend plugs for a number of reasons, including what rawls said.

Do whatever you want...but I wouldn't wear ear plugs while diving. There are simply better solutions, IMHO.

FWIW. YMMV.