Advice re: rupture ear drum

[Louis Lockwood]

Hi ScubaBoard,

Hopefully posting in the right place...

I'm newly qualified, just looking for some advice/reassurance that it's not the end of the line for me.

I ruptured my ear drum one week ago, through trauma in a rugby game. I've seen ENT doctor and he has advised it is about one third ruptured. Infection should be gone tomorrow or Wednesday, then the healing process can begin (with a six week review to monitor).

My concern was the ENT doctor said he wouldn't recommend diving again, especially 18m or even the 30m I planned to qualify for next year. He said the pressure would be too great on a weakened eardrum.

He didn't seem to be familiar with diving, both as a science or a hobby, so I left it there to pick up with a better informed community.

Can anybody relate to this? And hopefully provide reassurance that my days below sea level are not over?

Many thanks,
Lou

 

[Mustard Dave]

I'd see a proper diving doctor. Somebody I know worked his knackers off to prepare for his instructor exam. He suffered a similar injury and has had to have surgery to correct it; he was out of the water for well over a year. Fortunately it was a success and he has finally passed his IDC.

The biggest relative pressure changes take place in the shallow depths, so deeper dives should not affect you more (in my totally untrained opinion - hence my advice to consult a specialist diving doctor). The whole point of equalising is there should be minimal pressure on the ears when done properly.

If you do not already know about it, check out 'The Dive Forum' - it is UK based, so you will stand a better chance of getting a recommendation for a dive doctor in your neck of the woods on there.

 

[EastEndDiver]

I would contact DAN they will be able to direct you .

Join the Largest Scuba Diving Membership Organization in the World — DAN | Divers Alert Network

Scuba Diving Medical Safety Advice — DAN | Divers Alert Network

 

[Neilwood]

I would agree about seeing a doctor with specialist diving knowledge - the vast majority know little about dive physiology.

Also possibly try phoning the London Diving Chamber for advice- link

 

[Louis Lockwood]

The biggest relative pressure changes take place in the shallow depths, so deeper dives should not affect you more (in my totally untrained opinion - hence my advice to consult a specialist diving doctor). The whole point of equalising is there should be minimal pressure on the ears when done properly.

This is what prompted me to believe he didn't understand the mechanics of diving, as my thinking would be once the eardrum is healed and whole I would be fine to equalise every few metres before pressure is an issue

I would contact DAN they will be able to direct you.

Also possibly try phoning the London Diving Chamber for advice- link

Thanks for the recommendations, I have contacted DAN now and will look to contact LDC too in the morning.

I'm probably getting ahead of myself, but it's hard to go from picking out what specialities I wanted to add on my Advanced Open Water to being told I might be hanging up my fins. I'm hoping there's some first hand rupture victim stories out there to be told...and that they have happy endings.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

I have had a ruptured ear drum, quite a few years ago. I was out of the water for over 6 months, maybe closer to a year, I can't remember the specifics at this point. However, after many Doctor visits, I was able to return to diving. It was my right ear, and this ear had always given me trouble equalizing. I just take it slow, and equalize early and often, and I don't do anything forcefully. A good ENT Doc is a must, and the DAN referral was a great thing for me. Depending on your specific circumstances, it does not mean you can never dive again. Check with your Doc first, however.

 

[Killerflyingbugs]

I know a lot of divers that have blown an ear drum, it takes a bit to heal but you should be good to go when healed.

 

[Neilwood]

@Louis Lockwood there are lots of people who have ruptured their eardrums who have gone on to do hundreds of dives - they might have to be a bit more careful (equalise early and often - before any pain) but it should be ok so long as the eardrum perforation heals

 

[Louis Lockwood]

Thanks @LUBOLD8431 @Killerflyingbugs @Neilwood - it's good to know it's more a question of WHEN rather than IF, thank you for your replies.

I am travelling Indonesia next year, flying out in 7 months, but it is not a diving trip - I can settle for snorkelling if I have to.

 

[Scuba-Blue-13]

I've had multiple ruptured eardrums (weird physiology as a kid) and have no problem diving as an adult, granted, there was about 35 years separating the last rupture from my first dive, but I'm able to dive today.