slackercruster
Contributor
Seems like clearing my ears was no problem when I was young. Now it is getting to be a worry. I'm 55, does clearing ears get harder with age? If so, what has helped you with your ears?
Does clearing ears get harder with age?
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I'm 55, have logged 220 dives since starting 3 years ago. My ears clear as well now as they did when I was 17 years old taking a few chamber rides as part of Navy submarine school.
Sounds like you should see a Doc rather than look for definitive answers here.
Sounds like you should see a Doc rather than look for definitive answers here.
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Well it does make sense.
With age some things get stiff,whill other things don't
So with age your eardrums might just get a little less flexible,and thus equalizing might get somewhat difficult.
Not a medical responce but just a IMO.
With age some things get stiff,whill other things don't
So with age your eardrums might just get a little less flexible,and thus equalizing might get somewhat difficult.
Not a medical responce but just a IMO.
I would go and get yourself a skull x-ray or MRI or similar.... ear drum flexibility shouldn't be a problem - clearing your ears is about getting the air from your thorax into the middle ear via the eustachian tube, which basically connects your ears to your lungs (over-simplifaction, I know). If for some reason your ear drums are not as flexible as they used to be (TSandM please chime in here!) then it douldn't prevent you equalising - just make it more uncomfortable more quickly and at shallower depths.
It's not uncommon for polyps to form in the sinus cavities - thus reducing available air space and meaning compression of the relevant air spaces happens more rapidly whilst descending thus making it harder to equalise. The tubes may become less flexible with age - my father suffered from sinus polyps - he's a non-diver but it almost stopped his sense of smell - a skull xray and a minor operation cleared it all up.
Equalising generally becomes easier with experience - therefore if you are having issues now it may well be age-related, and it may be something else. We're all different. Pop to the ENT and get your head checked (as it were!) it's more than likely fix-able.
Safe diving
C.
It's not uncommon for polyps to form in the sinus cavities - thus reducing available air space and meaning compression of the relevant air spaces happens more rapidly whilst descending thus making it harder to equalise. The tubes may become less flexible with age - my father suffered from sinus polyps - he's a non-diver but it almost stopped his sense of smell - a skull xray and a minor operation cleared it all up.
Equalising generally becomes easier with experience - therefore if you are having issues now it may well be age-related, and it may be something else. We're all different. Pop to the ENT and get your head checked (as it were!) it's more than likely fix-able.
Safe diving
C.
diver 85
Contributor
I'm 57 & been diving since '85---have noticed no difference in clearing now vs then....
DevonDiver
N/A
I've been diving for 16 years, and working as a full-time instructor. I noticed that my ear clearing got progressively easier the more I dived (experience equalising and/or opening up the passages physically). However, over the past 12 month I noticed that my left ear has gotten progressively harder to clear.
My girlfriend is an ENT surgeon (convenient!) and she prescribed me some nasal steroids and vitamin b. The ear is still difficult to clear though.
The one technique that I discovered to help clear my ears was to 'practise' equalisation prior to diving. I tend to 'pop' my ears several times a day now...just a very gentle valsava (as you would in an airplane). I also make sure I do this on the surface immediately prior to diving. When I do this, it tends to ensure that my ears clear on descent also.
Not sure of the psyiological reasons why this works for me, but it does.
Remember...only use very gentle pressure when performing the valsava.
My girlfriend is an ENT surgeon (convenient!) and she prescribed me some nasal steroids and vitamin b. The ear is still difficult to clear though.
The one technique that I discovered to help clear my ears was to 'practise' equalisation prior to diving. I tend to 'pop' my ears several times a day now...just a very gentle valsava (as you would in an airplane). I also make sure I do this on the surface immediately prior to diving. When I do this, it tends to ensure that my ears clear on descent also.
Not sure of the psyiological reasons why this works for me, but it does.
Remember...only use very gentle pressure when performing the valsava.
don Francisco
Contributor
Not a medical opinion, but clearing shouldn't get any more difficult with age. The issue with clearing is the ability of air to get through the eustachean tubes, and not anything related to the eardrum (unless it's punctured). Unless there's an issue like thickening of mucous with allergy, age shouldn't make any difference.
One thing that does make a difference is practice. I find that if I've haven't been diving a while clearing is difficult for the first few dives, then I settle into the groove, and things are back to normal again.
Age related question for you. Is it possible that with age you're diving less often, which means that all your skills get rusty?
One thing that does make a difference is practice. I find that if I've haven't been diving a while clearing is difficult for the first few dives, then I settle into the groove, and things are back to normal again.
Age related question for you. Is it possible that with age you're diving less often, which means that all your skills get rusty?
Sorry, I'm in FL at the moment so I can't pull this paper but eustachian tube function does change with age and the reference below is a possible mechanism. I am sure it discusses the other possible mechanisms as well.
Suzuki C, Sando I, Balaban CD, Kitagawa M, Takasaki K. Difference in attachment of the tensor veli palatini muscle to the eustachian tube cartilage with age. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003 May;112(5):439-43. PubMed ID: 12784984
Suzuki C, Sando I, Balaban CD, Kitagawa M, Takasaki K. Difference in attachment of the tensor veli palatini muscle to the eustachian tube cartilage with age. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003 May;112(5):439-43. PubMed ID: 12784984
fairybasslet
Contributor
I have actually found it to be easier. Don't know if it's because I exercise the muscles when I'm not diving, or the pro-plugs, or the sudafed, or the fact that I begin clearing before I even hit the water. Practice practice practice and all different techniques.
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