Eustachian Balloon Dilation - anyone had it recently ?

[chaspope]

Hi, I had that procedure 6 weeks ago, no prob at all with healing. I did this because I had (only sometimes) a problem with equalising and (while only snorkeling) one day I had a serious IEBT problem. When scuba diving I noticed sometimes I am slow to equalise the first 10m compared to the group, but now afraid to blow hard because of past trouble. One drift dive in Maldives I took 5 mins to get past 10m while everyone else was down and watching me disappear ahead. Next day I was fine and went straight to 30m in one go while others were stuck blowing to eq.

Hence I had the op and after that it felt my ears pop easily - but I know the real test is in the water and I haven't done that yet.

Any relevant experiences to share - anyone ? These threads digress in all directions so I started a new one, hoping it will stay on topic

 

[divepsych]

Last DecemberI had balloon dilation of my right ET and noticed immediate improvement when flying. It wasn't until this past Septemeber that I could try it out scuba diving. Fantastic! For the first time since I began diving in 1971 I was able to almost spontaneously equalize the pressure in my right middle ear every dive and had no difficulties throughout my dives. According to the ENT's with whom I have been in contact, the success rate is about 75%. It is now available in the USA and Medicare paid for treatment of my ET Dysfunction.