Perforated eardrum and future dives

[WanderLust68]

Hello all –

I only have about 6 dives under my belt and during most of these I’ve had issues with equalization (40-60ft). During my last trip to Cozumel (feeling well, no congestion, cold, etc.) on the first dive of the vacation I got down about 25 feet and felt the usual pressure in my ears, worked on equalization as I normally do and suddenly felt a great spike of pain and rush of fluid/air/whatever from my right ear. My vision became blurry, I started listing to one side, incredibly queasy, etc. and I made my ascent to the surface. My DM evaluated me and asked if I wanted to try another descent, for whatever reason I agreed and made it down about 5 ft before the pain became too great and I resurfaced and called the dive.

The diagnosis from the ER doc at the local hospital in Cozumel was a perforated eardrum and no diving for 2-3 months until it had a chance to fully heal.

From those who have dealt with this in the past…what was your recovery time and your experience after recovery…was there any change in ability to equalize? Is there anything I should do to help repair my ear – other than give it some time? Should I see a specialist (I’m not feeling any pain, hearing is fine, just some dizziness depending on how fast I move my head – its been 4 days)?

I’m not looking forward to the next time I have to equalize as I will be on pins and needles about any discomfort I feel during a descent and when/if my eardrum will blow again. This has got me to start thinking about what other devices I can use that could help me to equalize better.

During this dive I was using a SeaCure mouthpiece for the first time (part of the reason I bought it was that it said it helped with equalization) – it may be I need a thicker bite plate in order to move my jaw around rather than the custom fit piece.

I’m also looking back at the Pro Ear diving mask with the ear cups. It’s not a perfect solution but is supposed to help – anyone with any experience with this? Are there any other types of mouthpieces or masks that can help with equalization or protect my ears?

I’m getting kinda desperate for answers as I love the sport and I’d hate to be limited to shallow dives or not diving at all because of equalization issues below a certain depth.

Thank you for any information you can provide!

 

[pdhenry]

I'm a novice FWIW, but the basic physical process isn't really different at 50 feet than at seven (assuming you've maintained equalization on the way down), is it? It seems that you could try a pool where you can get down 10 or 15 feet and see whether you have any problems equalizing. In my experience ten feet is enough depth that you either equalize easily or can tell that you're having issues. If you're OK there you can go deeper on a "real" dive.

 

[iamrushman]

give it plenty of time to heal.......perhaps see an ENT doctor to make sure you don't have any permanent damage or any other underlying obstructions.... otherwise keep your ears free of wax and pre-clear prior to any dive...good luck.

 

[WanderLust68]

I actually did a pool dive about a week before my Cozumel dive to test out some new equipment with my dive buddy. I was able to descend to 11 feet without barely having to equalize, so I had no foreshadow of any potential issues with equalizing.

On my dive, I felt the same ear pressure at 15ft as I did 25ft (and I have felt worse pressure on previous dives - so that is why I didn't think I was in trouble), which probably should have been a key indicator that I should have stopped and hung out for a while until things improved.

 

[dadediver]

I would surely see an ENT before diving.

I damaged my ear drums and I had a portion of my ear lobe used for the repair of my ear drum. I was a warm water diver and didnt really have any issues with clearing my ears once I received a go ahead from my ENT to return to the water. I moved to a northern state and started diving cold water and had trouble clearing my ears for about the first 50 dives or so due to the cold water. I go every year and get a check up from my ENT and to have any excess wax removed (wax had always built up after my operation). The more you practice clearing your ears (not even while your diving) the easier it will be for you to clear your ears on dives.

 

[fjpatrum]

I did a minor bit of tearing during a reverse block upon ascent. It sucked. I didn't have any other diving planned for several months and that was enough. See an ENT and practice clearing constantly. I sit at my desk and do it now. I don't know how much it will help in the future but the "pre-clearing" is ritual for a lot of divers. I start clearing at about 3-5 feet deep and invariably have to hang at about 10-12 feet for a good 10-15 seconds trying to clear then I'm good after that as it comes easier after that.

 

[WanderLust68]

All great advice so far....really appreciate it!

My initial urge was to find some type of device that would help equalize...if someone has a chronic issue with equalization, is there such a solution other than staying shallow or not diving?

I agree that the best solution is to practice clearing and get your body used to it, but how do you practice....go through the same process as if you were descending (pinch nose, lightly blow, etc.)?

Also, for those who have blown an eardrum, any changes with equalizing after its healed?

 

[Easdem]

I have found that most people don't really understand how strongly to blow when equalizing. There are other effective methods that can be used. Check out this article by DAN. http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/download/DiversGuidetoEars.pdf

 

[WanderLust68]

excellent link...thank you!

 

[Searcaigh]

Been there done that and if they gave T-shirts for blown ear drums I would have a few.

I have done both ears several times and fortunately they have been pretty minor with positive pressure internally causing small bubbles to come out of my ear, so no nausea or dizziness. Usually happened when I had some issues with congestion although I did have on three trips in the past couple of years (Sipadan + Puerto Galera x2) issues with ear infections too.

Give it time, most ears will heal well within 6 weeks, then have it checked by an ENT doc, preferably one who dives.

I have been using a Pro-Ear mask now for over 150 dives and perhaps it has lured me into a false sense of security, but it works well for me along with pre-treatment using Earol

The Pro-Ear mask will not keep your ears 100% dry unless you shave around your ears or go to Kim Jong Un's barber, but they work well preventing really cold water entering the ear canal and if you connect a wire coat hanger around them you might just be able to pick up a local FM station