Help - Husband's Ears

[littleguppie]

My husband has a super difficult time clearing his ears on the descent. He describes it as a 'pig squealing' noise as soon as he starts to descend. He attempts to clear his ears every foot or so on the way done, but tells me it goes from 'awful pain' to just 'discomfort' then he descends more. I ask him if he gets the 'pop' when it fully clears and he has no idea what I'm talking about as he never gets to that point.

He takes sudafed or Drixoral the night before and the morning of to clear his sinuses out, but it's still super rough. He gets down, but when he comes back up (even if we only go down 25 feet) he feels awful - tons of pressure in his head and muted hearing. It goes away in a day or so but it's super unenjoyable. He has only completed 10 dives and we are heading to the Great Barrier Reef for a 4 day dive trip in 6 weeks. I'm super nervous he is going to have a miserable time with his ears.

Anyone have similiar experiences and suggestions for improving it?

As a side note, every single time we ascend he gets a bloody nose. I'm convinced the two are linked, but not sure why he gets a bloody nose. It doesn't hurt, but again it's not fun to have a bloody nose, especially when we will be doing 16 dives in 4 days.

Any advice, suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.

We just got home from doing a 1/2 day Adv Open Water Cert class and he is MISERABLE and going to bed. We have to be back there tomorrow for deep dive and wreck. I really wish I could find some suggestions to make it better.

Thanks!

 

[littleguppie]

I just re-read the post and I don't want people to think he is forcing himself down. He isn't descending when it doesn't clear. Rather he can't seem to get a complete clear no matter how slow he goes. Are some people's ear canals just not built to dive?

 

[fisherdvm]

American Hearing Research Foundation (AHRF) Barotrauma

The must watch video: Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page

Prevention of Middle Ear Barotrauma

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/241164-barotitis-never-dive-cold.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...72-sinus-congestion-medicine-before-dive.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...65-clearing-ears-learned-skill-roadblock.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/237037-diving-congestion.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/231960-ear-drops-help-equalize.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/231395-yet-another-ear-thread.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/di...otential-diver-constant-ear-inflammation.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/239727-barotrauma-ugh.html

 

[gzscuba]

Did he have sinus problems as a child? On airplanes?

Perhaps you can find an Ear/Nose/Throat Specialist doctor in your area that could help.

If he's in pain, that's bad news. It's likely that he'll eventually hurt himself.

On the last day of diving a liveaboard trip in the bahamas, my ears/nose had had enough. I tried to push them for one last dive. Big mistake - I managed to get down, with the "squealing" that you described. I had to turn the dive early due to the pain in my ears. However, I had to fight a reverse block on the way up. After a rather extended safety stop at 15-20 ft, I managed to equalize enough to get out of the water. The whole experience was rather scary. If your husband is experiencing anything like this every dive, it's bad news in my opinion. Can he practice equalizing techniques at a LDS or YMCA pool? Has he tried the method where you swallow or jiggle your jaw (I'm sure that he has - just had to ask)?

Best of luck.

 

[fisherdvm]

I would suggest him seeing a physician.

Certain things of concern: Age, smoking history, current medications, frequency of sinus or upper respiratory symptoms, aggravating factors, etc.

At the moment, I would STRONGLY suggests that your husband put his diving class on hold indefinitely if his symptoms are frequent, recurrent, and until he has a competent physician to discuss his symptoms and recommend treament, if any is needed.

If he smokes....... QUIT!! Smoking irritates the eustachian tubes and can cause chronic sinusitis.

If he chose to continue smoking despite having chronic sinus symptoms - find another sport.

 

[Laustimus]

It's most likely his technique is poor. He needs to watch the video on divingdoc.com and make sure he's putting enough pressure and not having "ear fear".

If he can't get anywhere with that it's time to visit an ENT.

 

[underwasser bolt]

on multiple dives over multiple days, i have experienced this pig sensation. i have layed in bed at night after a hard day diving and my inner ears hurt if i try to clear them. the pressure of dives seems to cause some inflamation after multiple dives.

i have no solution. see a doctor is a good suggestion, but see a physician familiar with diving issues. DAN may be able to suggest a good local ENT for you.

 

[Nemrod]

I hate to tell you this but there are people who are not suited to diving.

I suggest that he make ear clearing an hourly routine, at work, watching TV, playing golf, just routinely pinch and gently blow. Like anything, this often improves with use. Don't do this if you are sick, have a cold, there is a lot of dust etc as it just drives the germs into the inner ear and might cause an infection.

I also suggest 12 hour Afrin etc about an hour before the dive. It is fairly benign and should not cause a problem.

Going down, blow, blow, blow, blow all the way, just keep the fingers in the pocket and blow. On the way up, swallow, swallow, stop and blow, swallow, swallow, rotate the jaw forward helps also.

N

 

[Dive ireland]

Yeah from the description i have to say sounds like he blew a blood vessel in his ear! (Searing pain to a mild discomfort?) thats how i'd describe it, but i was the same until i tried this method! it works great! Blow your nose and while blowing it, swallow. It can be difficult at times but tell em to be patient and descend slower than usual

 

[bristol-paul]

i am new to diving having just done my qualifying dives a few weeks ago, i was having problems equelising and instead of calling it off like an idiot i continued, same symptoms as your husband. i still have 'crackling' hearing two weeks later.. had a recent medical and the doctor said he cant realy see much wrong , gave me some gentisone drops and told me it will clear, if this continues to be a problem , my ne found love of diving could be verry short lived!