Water in ear

[JessH]

Eventually my girlfriend plans on getting certified so that she can go diving with me. The problem is that whenever we go swimming she doesn't like to put her head under the water because she is afraid she will get water in her ear. Apparently when she gets water in her ears she feels like she can't get it out, and at one point in the past she got an ear infection that was caused by this. She said that this has something to do with her ears forming kind of funny, although she used to swim a lot when she was younger and never had problems.

So does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this? She seemed to have the impression that she could just wear earplugs, but from what I know this doesn't really seem like an option.

Thanks!
~Jess

 

[JHAM]

I forget the mname of the product, but there are ear drops which dry up water from the ear. Ask at your LDS or maybe someone on the board remembers the name of this stuff.

 

[ScubaRon]

Ask your drug store about prevention of swimmer's ear. I once used the stuff that was based on boric acid. It worked in the sense that I didn't get swimmer's ear, but then I never had it before or after I stopped using it either...

Also check out this link to the DAN website .
ScubaRon

 

[Arnaud]

First, if she's had ear problems in the past, she should go see an ENT before signing up for a course. It's best to get a referral from DAN.

Now, if her ears are fine:

1. Prevention: I've developed what's called a surfer's ear (tiny bonny growth in the inner ear) because of the cold water. I've been using these They work great. Plus, they help equalize. I can't say enough good stuff about them.

2. Getting the water out: I too retain some water (hence the surfer' ear). A few drops of alcohol in each ear for a few minutes and...no more water inside. WARNING: You need to make sure that your ear is in good condition before putting anything inside. If in doubt, go see a specialist first.

 

[JohnVranesevich]

Greetings All:

Personally, I think everyone should go to an ENT before they start diving anyway.

I just got back from my ENT today. As a new diver, my instructor suggested that I go to have my ears checked out, and any wax build up removed (to help prevent water being trapped in the ear, etc. etc.)

Damn, it looked like he removed a SUV from each of my ears. I feel so, so, NASTY! I keep myself very clean, and am an all around neat freak. Despite my anal retentive tendencies, the deep insides of my ears were just GROSS!

I just went down to my pool, and sure as heck, noticed a HUGE difference when I got out.

Well worth the co-pay =)

 

[OCdiving Deb]

My ears have always been so sensitive after swimming in a pool, with pressure sensitivity while underwater and pain from swimmer's ear afterward. My greatest obstacle to overcome when first learning to dive was worrying about my ears.

My ears have no trouble while diving in the ocean, although they still hurt after swimming in a pool. Maybe your girlfriend will be fine in seawater also! I agree that she should get checked out first, but learning the effective ways to clear her ears, and seawater instead of chlorinated water may allow her to dive successfully!

Good luck!

kelphelper

 

[SOUTH DEVON]

Arnaud once bubbled...
[. I've been using these They work great. Plus, they help equalize. I can't say enough good stuff about them.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What you can still equalise your ears even with earplugs in?
I have heard people saying they couldn't equalise because there hood was too tight around there ears, so how come you can with earplugs?

 

[Karl_in_Calif]

1. Clean your/her ears with an ear wax remover (drops) and an ear syringe monthly. You would be surpirsed the goop that comes out.

2. Dry your/her ears with ethanol alcohol or ear drops, same-same.

3. Clear your ears before you start your dive, and continuously during your/her descent.

4. After diving, use the alcohol treatment or ear drops to dry them again.

5. See your general practitioner family doctor if there are problems. Since you are both divers, hopefully your doctor is a diving doctor recommended by DAN.

6. Your general practitioner will refer you/her to an ENT specialist if the problems persist.

7. This may all be a lame excuse simply because she really is afraid to scuba. Psychology 101.

 

[Arnaud]

SOUTH DEVON once bubbled...
What you can still equalise your ears even with earplugs in?
I have heard people saying they couldn't equalise because there hood was too tight around there ears, so how come you can with earplugs?

There's a tiny hole in each plug (they're "vented"). For some reasons, it makes equalizing easier, at least in my case.

 

[SOUTH DEVON]

Arnaud once bubbled...


There's a tiny hole in each plug (they're "vented"). For some reasons, it makes equalizing easier, at least in my case.

cool thanks !
I should have read the rest of the link really, I see it explains that, I thought they were just ordinary plugs !!!!!!
Shall have to get some