Has anyone dove with tympanostomy tubes?

[mindseye20]

I went to see an ENT Monday for an ear infection which had lingered around for nearly 6 weeks despite taking antibiotics. I had my ears surgically drained and had tympanostomy tubes put in and will have to keep them in for 3-6 months. I know I will have to do more diving, likely freshwater, in this time period and have antibiotic ear drops I can use post-diving. Has anyone dove with tubes in their ears and what was your experience?

[Drew Sailbum]

Diving is contraindicated for persons with tubes currently in their ears. You'll need to wait until after the tubes fall out (or are removed) and the hole has had time to heal.

[babar]

There are several reasons why diving with tubes is contraindicated. Cold water rushing into your middle ear is likely to make you violently nauseated, and give you bad vertigo. Not what you want underwater. You know how people get swimmers ear? Usually it's a mild, superficial infection, but it can cause bad pain, and swelling to the point where the whole ear canal swells up. Now imagine that happening behind your ear drum, not a pretty picture. I wouldn't dive with tubes. Maybe someone here has experience diving a helmit, maybe that would be an option.
Cheers
babar

[TwoBitTxn]

I know I will have to do more diving, likely freshwater, in this time period and have antibiotic ear drops I can use post-diving.

You state you will be required to dive. Why?

What does your ENT think about you returning to the water?

TwoBit

[suthnbelle]

I went diving five weeks ago and ever since then I've had an ear infection that will not go away. I've taken four different antibiotics and I still feel a lot of pressure in my ear. When I see my GP this week she'll let me know if I need to see an ENT which I know is inevitable. I'm just hoping I don't have to get the tubes in my ears. I was certified in February and starting to accumulate some dives. Sucks that this has to happen right in the middle of summer.

Personally I don't think you can get water in your ears when you have tubes. My son had tubes when he was two and until they fell out I couldn't get water in his ears.

[Green_Manelishi]

I went to see an ENT Monday for an ear infection which had lingered around for nearly 6 weeks despite taking antibiotics. I had my ears surgically drained and had tympanostomy tubes put in and will have to keep them in for 3-6 months. I know I will have to do more diving, likely freshwater, in this time period and have antibiotic ear drops I can use post-diving. Has anyone dove with tubes in their ears and what was your experience?

This is a joke, right?

[mindseye20]

Okay... so from the responses generated I'll be taking that as a NO, I definately should NOT dive with the tubes in. I talked to my ENT about it and he suggested I possibly could, but I'll take the safe route suggested by actual divers and (sniff*) say goodbye to diving for the time being. Thanks all.