Sore ears following many dives

[Garrobo]

NicW:: Just trying to be a smarta**. Remember Dumbo the elephant?

 

[spectrum]

NickW,

Sore on the outside could mean a few different things to me.

As most have said equalization technique may need some work. Either in how you do it or in how often you do it.

Do you equalize daily? If you are not diving often then you should. It's a good way to fine tune the skill. Assuming the common valsalva maneuver you want to just sneak up on your ears so they equalize. If you have not practiced this and start honking on the schnoz as you excitedly descend for the first dive in months you are in trouble. Also regular practice trains the ears and it truly becomes easier over time.

In terms of frequency, equalizing on each breath is a good starting point assuming a drop descent. Of course on a gentle shore dive less will be needed.

What you describe also sounds like you may be very susceptible to swimmers ear so this is also worth reading and good practice in any case.

Pete

 

[DESIGNERDIVER]

I am a new diver and since day one would have ears that were sore for days and days after just 1 dive................last time I dove I tried the docs pro plugs and that was the first trip where I didnt have sore ears after. i got the vented ones of course. They were highly reccomended to me by friends and also if you do a search here on scuba board you will read alot about them as well..................good luck

 

[Starlet]

I used to only equalize when it was uncomfortable but after a very swollen and infected ear that took weeks to heal with antibiotics and ear drops plus not being able to hear I started to equalize very early and now I don't have a problem at all. Apparently sometimes the Eustachian tubes can be a little lazy so once they get into the habit of 'stretching' it becomes easier. I perfer The Frenzel Maneuver because there is less risk of 'over equalizing' and doing any damage; plus once you master this you can do it without using your hands which for me means I can do it as often as I like.

Cheers,
Starlet

 

[Venus]

i have over 500 dives and i descend like a newbie .... it doesn't bother me

please don't let it bother you

take care

I do have to decend slowly - it drives me nuts, cause I feel like I look like a real newbie. Others can drop in 40 feet of water in seconds, and it takes me a minute or minute and a half - but I've come to accept that thats just the way it is for me. I have to take my time and just go at my own pace

 

[Peter_C]

I can hit 90 feet very fast. From that point on I need to ascend and descend very slowly or I risk hurting my ear. Especially in our rocky coast where we often have to clear a GIANT rock changing upwards of 15 foot of depth. If I go slow my left ear does not get sore. I blew my ear drums four times wakeboarding, before being one of the first ones to wear a helmet for ear protection.

Then my gal bought me an ear dryer, and I have even less issues with repetitive day diving.

Sometimes I will use a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and vinegar.

 

[MGF1892]

I've just returned from a trip to the Red Sea, Egypt. I've been diving for 13 yrs and on my 5th day of diving I over-equalised on my last dive. Whilst in the water my ear felt great, on surfacing I had deafness in my left ear with a dull ache and pain when I tried to gently eqaulise. I could also hear myself breathing and had pain on burping after a diet coke. I was advised to seek medical attention which I immediately did so. I was taken by a member of my dive team to the Hyperbaric Medical Centre, Sharm El Sheikh where I was diagnosed, by a Diving Doctor specialist -Dr Adel Taher - to have an acute otitic barotrauma. (Basically damaged the tissue in my ear by over equalising - quite painful).
Sounds like what you had. Your ears are very delicate. Be careful and really take your time when going down.

 

[DandyDon]

For anyone who ever has problems equalizing, new or not, a very helpful 45 minute video: Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page

I can hit 90 feet very fast. From that point on I need to ascend and descend very slowly or I risk hurting my ear. Especially in our rocky coast where we often have to clear a GIANT rock changing upwards of 15 foot of depth. If I go slow my left ear does not get sore. I blew my ear drums four times wakeboarding, before being one of the first ones to wear a helmet for ear protection.

Interesting. I have to clear some during the first 30-40 feet of descent but seldom deeper and never once I get down. Just the opposite huh?

Then my gal bought me an ear dryer, and I have even less issues with repetitive day diving.

Sometimes I will use a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and vinegar.

My last round of swimmers ear infection left me disabled for two days; I never miss that step - altho I use the gentler 33-33-33 water diluted. 30 days shelf life, but virtually free.

DrMike just posted some very good info in this ear thread.