Bryliant
New
Hello....
I am fairly new to diving with 22 dives, 10 of which logged over vacation in the last few weeks in Roatan and Belize. Certified for 3 years and only get to go once a year while on vacation.
My last dive, a week ago tomorrow, resulted in a clogged, full feeling, and partial deafness in one ear. Dive lasted about 50 minutes with a max depth of 65 feet. No equalization issues noticed although now I am wondering if I did something stupid and force equalized because no cold or other sinus issues. I do recall water entering my ears, which is normal for me. I thought I had gotten it out under water, but maybe not. I was dizzy and a bit nauseous after getting in the boat and noticed I could not hear at this point after I was out of the water. No real pain, just fullness, lack of hearing, and anxiety. I went straight to a doctor that same day who happened to be a hyperbaric physician. He looked at my ear and said it should clear on its own in 2-3 days noting my ear drum was fine although agitated (swollen and slightly pertruding). He told me to take PHENYLEPHRINE, and breathe steam from a pot on a stove for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day for 3 days. No more attempts at equalizing were also mentioned and I have abided by that.
2 days later, a day before we were scheduled to fly back to Colorado, I tried to see him again, but was not able to reach him so I came back home. Unfortunately any minimal improvement I noticed in the few days before flying home is now gone....I am concerned about permanent damage and what I need to do to make this situation improve.
Would anyoner happen to know of a good ENT in the Denver area familiar with SCUBA ear issues or is that even neccesary?
Any other advice or knowledge appreciate. This is starting to drive me a bit mad....I am used to having better than average hearing and everything sounds like its entering my ear through a porcelain hallway.
I am fairly new to diving with 22 dives, 10 of which logged over vacation in the last few weeks in Roatan and Belize. Certified for 3 years and only get to go once a year while on vacation.
My last dive, a week ago tomorrow, resulted in a clogged, full feeling, and partial deafness in one ear. Dive lasted about 50 minutes with a max depth of 65 feet. No equalization issues noticed although now I am wondering if I did something stupid and force equalized because no cold or other sinus issues. I do recall water entering my ears, which is normal for me. I thought I had gotten it out under water, but maybe not. I was dizzy and a bit nauseous after getting in the boat and noticed I could not hear at this point after I was out of the water. No real pain, just fullness, lack of hearing, and anxiety. I went straight to a doctor that same day who happened to be a hyperbaric physician. He looked at my ear and said it should clear on its own in 2-3 days noting my ear drum was fine although agitated (swollen and slightly pertruding). He told me to take PHENYLEPHRINE, and breathe steam from a pot on a stove for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day for 3 days. No more attempts at equalizing were also mentioned and I have abided by that.
2 days later, a day before we were scheduled to fly back to Colorado, I tried to see him again, but was not able to reach him so I came back home. Unfortunately any minimal improvement I noticed in the few days before flying home is now gone....I am concerned about permanent damage and what I need to do to make this situation improve.
Would anyoner happen to know of a good ENT in the Denver area familiar with SCUBA ear issues or is that even neccesary?
Any other advice or knowledge appreciate. This is starting to drive me a bit mad....I am used to having better than average hearing and everything sounds like its entering my ear through a porcelain hallway.
