Ear Protection when Diving

btonthemove · Mar 25, 2011

Hi
I often dive in tropical waters and have ended up with ear infections and much much worse - fungal spores! I have undergone the humiliation of hydrogen peroxide in my ears then having them vacuumed and want to avoid this. Can anyone recommend a method of not getting water in the ears and preventing ear infection? I wear a hood all the time but this doesn't seem to help.

Blue Sparkle · Mar 25, 2011

I use a solution of about 50% white vinegar and 50% alcohol (drugstore type.... sorry I forget the usual strength off-hand). I keep this mixture in a dropper bottle and then after diving and showering (or just rinsing ear in fresh water) I lie down, fill one ear with the solution, set a timer for 5 minutes, then turn over and repeat on the other side.

I read this in a medical book aimed for sailors (who would be swimming often in the tropics). I can't say what would have happened if I had not used it, but with using it conscientiously, neither my buddy nor I have had any ear problems. And that included months of often-daily snorkeling in the tropics.

Blue Sparkle

PS: As I understand it, the vinegar kills the nasties and the alcohol helps dry your ear canal. Also, it was stressed that 5 full minutes were necessary/each ear.

PPS: I just remembered that I have heard of some people using an ear dryer. One person I know of uses one called the Sahara DryEar. It's sort of like a little mini hair-dryer that fits into your ear.

scuba art · Apr 12, 2011

my wife has this issue everytime she dives and it can last for sometime. No one really has a good answer that works so far. If we ask dive masters this question before diving they just dont have a good solution so it stays the same . Even doctors(who are not divers) struggle with answers for it. As much as it seems to be a issue with so many ..whats the deal ? I have an idea of how it happened... Over weighting a beginner without teaching them the importance of equalizing .

TMHeimer · Apr 12, 2011

At times I use Doc's Pro Plugs, but they do let a bit of water in the ears, of course. Maybe it's too little to start the infections?

explorer08 · Apr 12, 2011

I am using a ProEar Mask for several years now and I am very satisfied.

Swimming Ear Protection Diving Masks ProEar 2000

DeputyDan · Apr 14, 2011

TMHeimer:
At times I use Doc's Pro Plugs, but they do let a bit of water in the ears, of course. Maybe it's too little to start the infections?

I use them as well (on every dive bty)

DevonDiver · Apr 14, 2011

The best protection for your ears is nature's own ear wax. But repeated diving can reduce that. Some of the anti-swimmers' ear drops can are actually quite aggresive and do little more than further diminish the protecting wax.

The only time I ever got a (double) ear infection was when i experiemented with preventative ear drops during an intensive dive holiday.

Since then, I learnt to 'reinforce' the natural protection of my ear wax, by adding a drop of olive oil to each ear prior to a days diving. That's worked perfectly for me... and I do dive intensively.

TMHeimer · Apr 15, 2011

DeputyDan:
I use them as well (on every dive bty)

Do they ever come out on you? I wrap the line once around my mask strap just in case.

adambrown82 · Apr 15, 2011

good day have had the same problem try drops called bura-sol drops use after water exposure as directed.

HowardE · Apr 15, 2011

I use Doc's Proplugs on every dive where I don't wear my dive helmet. I mostly dive in tropical waters (200 or so dives a year for the last 2 years), and used to get infections frequently. When I use the proplugs, I don't get infections. I think it works, but some people say it's voodoo. For the $10 for a set of proplugs, does it hurt to try it?

Ear Protection when Diving

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