Doc's pro-ear plugs?

[pinkydinky]

As you know I've been having trouble equalizing (previous threads) but I recently came across these plugs that are vented are there any comments on these?

[pinkydinky]

Just post your experience if you've used them thanks

[stadevene]

I have them. No problems equalizing with them in, although I didn't have many issues equalizing without. I'm not sure if they really do anything there good or bad.

What they do prevent is water in my ears. I would always get water in my ears and it would take forever to actually leak out or on dive trips I pretty much just lived with water in my ears until I was done. Now I don't have this problem.

As a secondary benefit, I wear them while on the boat which prevents the "wind" from getting in my ears which can help prevent ear aches and possibly infections not to mention the uncomfortable noise.

My only tip is to ensure your LDS has the measuring chart and is careful measuring as I could imagine if they don't fit correctly you might lose them as you hit the water or they may allow water in.

[rab1412000]

ive had equalizing issues since my first dive 15 years ago. thus i have not been diving as often as i wanted ( see my profile info)i had to stop diving for four years because i perforated my eardrum.
i recently discovered docs proplugs and in 15 years of diving its the only thing that has worked for me.
dove this weekend with a slight cold and i was able to equalize. that would have been close to impossible before even with 3 tabs of sudafed , my nasal spray, and my proears dive mask.
now all i need are the earplugs. they are absolutley great.
congratulations you got a great product

[pinkydinky]

thanks im very glade to know

[pinkydinky]

has there every been a problem with them clogging up under water and not equalizing??

[robint]

my hubby and I both use them now. We dive both cold water and warm water with them. Never an issue. We started using them 5+ yrs ago when we realized how many divers in calif were using them. They told us it keeps your eardrums warmer in the cold water so equalizing is easier and less stressful on eardrum. Seems to work. We now use them all the time. My hubby is an instructor and recommends them to all his students, he even uses them in the pool. :D

[mts0628]

As you know I've been having trouble equalizing (previous threads) but I recently came across these plugs that are vented are there any comments on these?

Hi pinkydinky:

There have been at least two threads that I have read and where I have posted about ears and plugs. I don't use them but if I had to for some reason, then I'd probably check out Doc's Pro Plugs (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/dpp+santa+cruz.html). The vented ones are key and apparently you can tell if they are vented by the color- red and clear are both vented. A nifty feature is a lanyard, so you either don't lose one or you lose both. :)

Try this (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/marine-science-physiology/281887-using-ear-plugs-diving-docs-proplugs.html) and this (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/280724-warning-dont-use-ear-plugs.html) for reading, and when you decide to drop the hammer, think VENTED!

And as far as clogging, the only thing I read was about the diver's wax buildup in their ears could clog them. But that is a hygiene thing and nothing against the Pro Plugs. Although, I did have an ENT Physician tell me that really we never need to clean our ears, especially with cotton-tipped applicators (such as Q-Tips). I just can't swallow that though and swab away about every other day!

I hope this helps.

With kind regards,
Thomas

[rab1412000]

has there every been a problem with them clogging up under water and not equalizing??

as long as you are humanly hygenic with your ears there should be no problem with clogging from ear wax. i dont also see a problem of it being clogged by sand.
using the earplugs makes equalizing very easy. sometimes you dont even have to equalize at all

[docBarbara]

Hi all,
I too use the docs pro plugs and think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I would struggle on my descent prior to using them and now descend like a pro. I keep a spare in my dive box just in case I lose the pair I am using. Make sure a professional sizes you for them because the fit is important and they come in a lot of sizes.
Barbara

[Ferg822]

I agree. They're absolutely great! I had a hard time equalizing previously but with these I haven't had a one.

[DiveTheGalapagos]

I know it's been a long time since this thread had any activity, but I just got to use ProPlugs for the first time a couple weeks back and am thrilled! After 7 visits to an ear specialist this year and after using the ProEar Mask (which works, but I didn't like the mask and it is a pain to fit properly), the ProPlugs allowed me back into a regular mask and allowed me to keep diving. We dive in too much current to use the lanyard. At first, I was a bit paranoid they would somehow fall out while underwater, but no...pressure keeps them secure. My ProPlugs and stainless steel springs for my Apollo bio fins are probably my favorite 2 pieces of dive gear.

It is recommended you hold them up to the light before diving to make sure the vent is open. I rinsed them after every dive and soaked them in warm water after the week.

I am so happy with the ProPlugs.

[k374]

I have issues equalizing and can't dive without the pro plugs. They work great for me!
The plugs makes equalization more gradual so that the ears have more time to adjust to the change in pressure.

[TMHeimer]

Iv'e used them for years. Never had equalizing problems with or without them (I use them to keep water out and prevent "swimmer's ear"), but a couple of points:
1. They don't keep every bit of water out, but enough to keep water from sloshing way in your ear.
2. I don't use them with my 7 mil hood, as the hood serves the same "non-sloshing in" purpose and the plugs tend to come out and roll around in the hood.
3. I wrap the connecting line once around my mask strap (no hood on), as at times one of them may come out of the ear-- this way I won't lose them.
4. Be very gentle with the area where the connecting line is attached to the plug. It will break off and is very difficult to reattach/fix. Probably have to buy a new one.
(5. don't use them when practising any mask removal techniques--especially the DM equipment exchange drill!!!)

[Eau_Girl]

I'm going to buy some while in the US over the Xmas holidays. Several people on my recent dive trip were using them and swear by them. I don't have problems equalizing, but want to help keep my ears as dry and happy as possible when doing several dives a day over a week or two.

[SCUBASailor]

... only thing I read was about the diver's wax buildup in their ears could clog them. But that is a hygiene thing ...
Thomas

Earwax is not a "hygiene thing". It's not like dirt on the skin that can be easily washed away, nor is it by choice that it gets put in our ears. Some people produce more earwax than others. The implication you make is that people with earwax are somehow less than diligent with regard to hygiene, and that is absolutely incorrect.

[DiveTheGalapagos]

[QUOTE=TMHeimer;4879329
(5. don't use them when practising any mask removal techniques--especially the DM equipment exchange drill!!!)[/QUOTE]

Why do you say this? Are you referring to when you weave the lanyard through your mask strap? Without the lanyard, couldn't think of any reason there would be a problem.

[Damselfish]

We dive in too much current to use the lanyard.
If you have trouble with the lanyard flapping around or getting in the way, you could also try shortening it. Either tie a knot to make it shorter, or better yet pull the excess through one of the plugs to the right length, tie a new knot and cut off the end. Or, find some other kind of fine nylon or poly cord and replace the plastic lanyard. I find anything is more cooperative than the plastic. Tricky getting it through the plugs without tearing them, but it can be done. I even have a pair connected with very small elastic cord, like an itty bitty bungie. Like a spring strap for my proplugs. ;)

[pinkladydi]

a previous dive buddy used them and after he started using them he had many ear infections, which he never had previously, so I atttribute that to improper cleaning on them at the end of the dive day, be for-warned
Diane

[drydiver]

I sometimes have difficulty equalizing. I have never had ear infections as far back as my memory goes. I tried the pro plugs in the St Lawrence and left them in in-between dives and came back last year with rip roaring ear infections in both ears. Not sure if it was schmutz in the St Lawrence River, lack of ventilation in between dives, or the pro plugs themselves. I did not notice any marked improvement in clearing when I wore the proplugs. Never used them again. No ear infections all year diving. Went back to St Lawrence this year, it was colder, wore my hood in between dives, so again no ventilation, came back with infection in ears, but much less painful than the last year. Can confirm the cause, but my take on the pro-plugs is that at a minimum, they did not help me clear, no difference there. But, we are all individuals, so what works/does not work for one may work for another.

Donna

[rcohn]

I've tried them and found equalizing was no easier. Plus with a cold water hood on, the hood's pressure on the plugs made my ears hurt. I recommend you save your money.

Ralph