I don't think that it should be a problem, but then again I am no doctor.
All due respect to Wingwalker84, but the
highlighted aspect should be noted.
There are a few medical doctors on this forum, who can provide good advice. Definitely listen to those. The rest of us....well, we just speculate....and that's not something to chance your health and well-being on
For sure you need to consult a doctor before signing on to a scuba course. The dive school would ask you to do this anyway (I hope!!) once you had completed the medical screening form with the initial paperwork.
If you are uncertain of whether a 'regular' (non-diving) doctor would understand the issues involved with diving, then you should be sure to obtain the 'Medical Guidelines' for doctors, that will be produced by whichever scuba agency is providing your training course. Those guidelines will explain to the doctor exactly what they need to assess when considering your fitness to dive. However, you may still be refered to an ENT specialist for consult.
If you need a second-opinion, then ask your scuba center (or google the web) to find a dedicated Diving Doctor. Diving medicine is a specialist field...and any doctor engaged in that will have a much clearer understanding.
Here are some documents for reference:
The
PADI Guidelines for Doctors states:
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]OTOLARYNGOLOGICAL[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
Equalization of pressure must take place during ascent and descent between ambient water pressure and the external auditory canal, middle ear and paranasal sinuses. Failure of this to occur results at least in pain and in the worst case rupture of the occluded space with disabling and possible lethal consequences.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
The inner ear is fluid filled and therefore noncompressible. The flexible interfaces between the middle and inner ear, the round and oval windows, are however subject to pressure changes. Previously ruptured but healed round or oval window membranes are at increased risk of rupture due to failure to equalize pressure or due to marked overpressurization during vigorous or explosive Valsalva manoeuvres. The larynx and pharynx must be free of an obstruction to airflow. The laryngeal and epiglottic structure must function normally to prevent aspiration. Mandibular and maxillary function must be capable of allowing the patient to hold a scuba mouth piece. Individuals who have had mid-face fractures may be prone to barotrauma and rupture of the air filled cavities involved.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Relative Contraindications:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
Recurrent otitis externa
Significant obstruction of external auditory canal
History of significant cold injury to pinna
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Recurrent otitis media or sinusitis
History of TM perforation
History of tympanoplasty
History of mastoidectomy
Significant conductive or sensorineural hearing impairment
Facial nerve paralysis not associated with barotrauma
Full prosthedontic devices
History of mid-face fracture
Unhealed oral surgery sites
History of head and/or neck therapeutic radiation
History of temperomandibular joint dysfunction[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Absolute Contraindications:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
Monomeric TM
Open TM perforation
Tube myringotomy
History of stapedectomy
History of ossicular chain surgery
History of inner ear surgery
History of round window rupture
Facial nerve paralysis secondary to barotrauma
Inner ear disease other than presbycusis
Uncorrected upper airway obstruction
Laryngectomy or status post partial laryngectomy
Tracheostomy
Uncorrected laryngocele
History of vestibular decompression sickness[/FONT]
Here are the
UK HSE guidelines, relevant to ENT medical issues with commercial diving:
J4. The ear canal must be free from obstruction such as wax. Narrowing of the ear canal such as exostoses should not prevent diving unless severe enough to limit or prevent ear equalisation.
J5. The tympanic membrane must be intact. Movement of the tympanic membrane on ear clearing should be sought. In doubtful cases referral for a tympanogram may be required to demonstrate normal middle ear pressures.
J6. Diving should not be permitted after middle ear barotrauma until any middle ear fluid has been reabsorbed. Tympanic membrane erythema and retraction should have resolved.
J7. Individuals with long standing scarred tympanic membranes, well healed perforations or surgically healed perforations can be allowed to attempt to dive if they have normally mobile tympanic membranes, normal Eustachian tube function and no retraction or thinning of the tympanic membrane due to previous disease.
J8. All active infections of the ear canal and middle ear are contraindications until resolved. Diving medical specialist advice may be required with cases of chronic ear canal or middle ear disease such as cholesteatoma.
J9. Previous mastoidectomy is a contraindication to diving unless it was a simple mastoidectomy, which is well healed with no complications and has an intact posterior wall. Tympanic membrane and middle ear function must also be normal.
J10. Previous stapedectomy is a contraindication to diving.
J11. Individuals with Menieres disease and other vertiginous conditions should not dive.
J12. Hearing should be of a level that permits normal conversation to be understood. An audiometric assessment covering the range of 500 Hz to 6 KHz is required at the initial examination. Thereafter an audiogram should be repeated after an episode of aural barotrauma. In addition further audiograms may be carried out according to a hearing conservation programme. Saturation divers may need advice and regular follow up.