I am new to this board and am interested in learning how to scuba dive. Here's the problem I have a history of inner and outer ear problems since I was small. Flying on planes can be at times painful when landing. A DR has told me that my eustachian tubes don't work properly and cause negative pressure. Is there anything I can do about this, should I give up the idea of learning how to scuba dive? Diving to the bottom of a pool causes pressure. I need anything thoughts, opinions or advice. Nobody can tell me what I should do, the DR told me to avoid flying and diving and offered not treatments or alternatives. I still fly and use some plugs called ear planes and they seem to help more than anything else. Has anyone ever heard of a mask called a PROEAR2000 that has earcups on it and is suppose to help equalized pressure and mimic the eustachian tubes?
Need some advice
- Thread starter Leanne70
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Welcome to ScubaBoard!
Don't forget to fill out your profile, so that we can add context to your future posts. Also, once we know where you are geographically, you may find that you'll have a whole bunch of new dive buddies to choose from if you find that you can learn to dive in spite of the ear problems.
I'm not familiar with the mask you mention, but hopefully someone hear can comment on it.
Hope you get the answers you are looking for.
Be safe!
Christian
Don't forget to fill out your profile, so that we can add context to your future posts. Also, once we know where you are geographically, you may find that you'll have a whole bunch of new dive buddies to choose from if you find that you can learn to dive in spite of the ear problems.
I'm not familiar with the mask you mention, but hopefully someone hear can comment on it.
Hope you get the answers you are looking for.
Be safe!
Christian
Seabear70
Guest
Look arround and ask for an experienced DMO. These are not specifically ear nose and throat specialists, but what they are are doctors trained by the navy to deal specifically with diving medicine. One of them saved my career a while back when noone else could find a problem. I do not know where you live, but if you check wth local dive shops, they should be able to either direct you to one or point you in the direction of a commercial dive company. The dive company will know where to find one.
You can also contact Diver's Alert Network (DAN). They may be able to point you toward a diving medicine specialist.
As for the mask, I've seen it advertised, but don't know anything about it. There are lots of exercises that you can do to help you equalize your ears more easily. The more you practice, the easier it gets. Eventually, you learn to control the muscles in your oropharynx that open your Eustacian tubes, but for some of us, that was a long, hard battle.
Again, the DAN website is a good source. I might also suggest doing a search on the terms "equalize" or "equalization", and I know that you'll find lots of info here.
Good luck and welcome to the board,
Grier
As for the mask, I've seen it advertised, but don't know anything about it. There are lots of exercises that you can do to help you equalize your ears more easily. The more you practice, the easier it gets. Eventually, you learn to control the muscles in your oropharynx that open your Eustacian tubes, but for some of us, that was a long, hard battle.
Again, the DAN website is a good source. I might also suggest doing a search on the terms "equalize" or "equalization", and I know that you'll find lots of info here.
Good luck and welcome to the board,
Grier
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