Ears

[DandyDon]

Vlad gave you the link to the video; it's helped so many!

The most popular ear treatment to prevent "Swimmers Ear" Infection is 1/3 alcohol, 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 bottled water. I use 1/2 - 50% alcohol and 50% vinegar - close enough. You actually cannot find this in commercial brands as the vinegar seems to break down after a month, but it's virtually free to make yourself.

 

[sierra23]

Sierra23 here - I haven't been here on Scuba Board for a few years. This read will be WELL worth it I have some news for all of you that suffer ear issues. Yes, go to the doctor BUT also do your homework and COMMON sense. I went to a DAN doctor when I surfaced with total deafness in my right ear with no pain. After a few days I had some crackling and a little hearing was restored. The doc released me and I flew home. Two weeks later, with no improvement, I went to a ENT and returned home and called DAN on the doctors findings. DAN directed me to a DAN ENT in the area. That doctor set me up with a ear specialist and I went through a few hours of test. @ the end of all of this, I was sent to an ear clinic where I was fitted for a hearing aid. I was told I had a barotrauma - a damaged nerve in my ear. I was still able to dive. My hearing was about 30% in my right ear. It made my directional hearing about 180 off - no need to go on about what serious issues I had with that handicap. I isolated myself because even with the hearing aid I was unable to understand and follow a conversation. In 2008 I paid for a full set of new hearing aids because technology had changed. It was better but still not great. I was learning to read lips and sort of thinking what people "might" be trying to communicate to me after asking them 3 times. Thank goodness I have loving wonderful friends that were understanding and tolerant of this handicap. Three days ago I had a medical procedure that flushing my ears was part of the procedure because they were in the area that was being worked on. The procedure had nothing to do with my ears. I woke up and my hearing had been restored to 100%. I have been living with this deafness since April 2008 - a very long time. I talked with the doctor and all that we can figure out is that there was a heavy wax build up that was creating the blockage. After ALL of the medical doctors and specialists this procedure was never mentioned to me. Needless to tell you, I am hoping I will still be able to continue on with this great report. That is what I started to say - make sure to use that thing in-between your shoulders - many times the simplest solutions are overlooked!!! Also, be kind to the hard of hearing - they are hypersensitive already and a little kindness will be so very welcomed!!! Peace be with you - life is so precious!!!

 

[DandyDon]

Three days ago I had a medical procedure that flushing my ears was part of the procedure because they were in the area that was being worked on. The procedure had nothing to do with my ears. I woke up and my hearing had been restored to 100%. I have been living with this deafness since April 2008 - a very long time. I talked with the doctor and all that we can figure out is that there was a heavy wax build up that was creating the blockage. After ALL of the medical doctors and specialists this procedure was never mentioned to me. Needless to tell you, I am hoping I will still be able to continue on with this great report. That is what I started to say - make sure to use that thing in-between your shoulders - many times the simplest solutions are overlooked!!! Also, be kind to the hard of hearing - they are hypersensitive already and a little kindness will be so very welcomed!!! Peace be with you - life is so precious!!!

No one ever suggested ear irrigation? I had it done by medical assistants a couple of times decades ago, amazed at what came out as well as how much better I heard after, then a doctor told me to just do it myself - first adding oil and cotton balls to soak in overnight, then flush with water.

Second question: Had you been sticking cotton swab sticks/Q-tips inside your ears? Some people don't know better. You might have pocked the wax back in so far those docs couldn't see it - altho I don't know if that's possible. I do know the worst ear wax problems start with Q-tips.