Hello,
I am new to this board. I signed up because I am desperately looking for advice, referrals, recovery information regarding inner ear barotrauma.
Sept 15th I was spearfishing (freediving) in the Bahamas. We were about 60ft/ 20m. I was having some trouble clearing due to a sinus infection 3-4 weeks back that had resolved with antibiotics. I was using the Valsalva maneuver to clear, I was using slightly more force than typical. On one of the dives I felt a "crinkle" in my left ear increase pressure and slight to moderate pain. unable to clear I went back up to the surface cleared and continued to dive. When I got back on the boat, I noticed a muffled heavy feeling in my left ear, and I noticed it was ringing.
Monday the 17th sept I got into an ENT in Florida. Audiology test reflected pretty substantial (50%) hearing loss in my left ear and significant decline above 600hz. High frequencies are hard to hear. I was prescribed high dose, 3 week course of steroid treatment 60mg prednisone to start, titrating down from there. I also opted for the cortico-steroid injection through the tympanic membrane. Ive done 3/4 of those with slight to NO improvement. I currently have no vestibular symptoms but I did get dizzy when trying to clear out of the water and for a few days after the injury. I hear a crinkle every time I swallow, and the Tinnitus is making me wish I would lose the hearing all together in my left ear....if it means the louding buzzing/ringing goes away.
Ive spoken to 3 ENTs' I have an appoinment in November with Neuro-otologist @ University of Miami (Hoffer, md).
Has anyone had a similar experience Free diving or Scuba?
Did symptoms resolve?
were you prescribed a similar treatment algorithm?
is there anything I can do that I havent?
Is there an ENT/ Otologist anywhere in the US that has experience with my type of injury that someone can recommend?
Thank you all in advance for any advice/ replies.
Blake
I am new to this board. I signed up because I am desperately looking for advice, referrals, recovery information regarding inner ear barotrauma.
Sept 15th I was spearfishing (freediving) in the Bahamas. We were about 60ft/ 20m. I was having some trouble clearing due to a sinus infection 3-4 weeks back that had resolved with antibiotics. I was using the Valsalva maneuver to clear, I was using slightly more force than typical. On one of the dives I felt a "crinkle" in my left ear increase pressure and slight to moderate pain. unable to clear I went back up to the surface cleared and continued to dive. When I got back on the boat, I noticed a muffled heavy feeling in my left ear, and I noticed it was ringing.
Monday the 17th sept I got into an ENT in Florida. Audiology test reflected pretty substantial (50%) hearing loss in my left ear and significant decline above 600hz. High frequencies are hard to hear. I was prescribed high dose, 3 week course of steroid treatment 60mg prednisone to start, titrating down from there. I also opted for the cortico-steroid injection through the tympanic membrane. Ive done 3/4 of those with slight to NO improvement. I currently have no vestibular symptoms but I did get dizzy when trying to clear out of the water and for a few days after the injury. I hear a crinkle every time I swallow, and the Tinnitus is making me wish I would lose the hearing all together in my left ear....if it means the louding buzzing/ringing goes away.
Ive spoken to 3 ENTs' I have an appoinment in November with Neuro-otologist @ University of Miami (Hoffer, md).
Has anyone had a similar experience Free diving or Scuba?
Did symptoms resolve?
were you prescribed a similar treatment algorithm?
is there anything I can do that I havent?
Is there an ENT/ Otologist anywhere in the US that has experience with my type of injury that someone can recommend?
Thank you all in advance for any advice/ replies.
Blake