ear question

[patrick91]

hey im getting certified in February and have a question about equalizing. when i equalize, by holding my nose and blowing one ear will hold the air in till i wiggle my jaw around and the other ear, my left, will almost in a way let that pressure leak out, not all the way, without me moving my jaw around, could this be the Eustachian tubes not staying closed when they should be? i read that that is called dysfunctional Eustachian tubes but im not sure if this is just something normal or something i should be concerned with.

 

[tomfcrist]

You have it backwards.....When you are trying to equalize you are actuall blowing air INTO your ears through the eustachian tubes. For some reason you have a n eustachian tube that is not clear or partially blocked. this could be a sinus infection, remains of a cold, or just the way your body was made. Equalization is easier for some people than for others.

1. Go to a doctor and make sure you have no health problems that may be causing this.
2. Are you decending head first or feet first? If head first Valsalva will not work too well, thus the fresnel or tonybee would be better suited.

I hope this helps.

 

[Lee Taylor]

The objective of equalization is to keep the ear drum not bulging inward (on descent) and not bulging outward (on ascent). Air passage through the eustation tube is how this is accomplished. Body liquids in the eustation tube interfer or block air passage. A colasped eustation tube will not allow air to pass. What you are trying to accomplish is an open and straight tube during desend and ascent.

 

[zaberman1]

1. Try jutting your jaw our forward to open up the tube a bit more to encourage air flow.
2. The valsalva (blowing through a pinched nostril) can force too much air into the eustachian tube if done too forcefully and, oftentimes, I have students that cannot do it properly. Try, instead, pinching your nose and swallowing (frenzel).

 

[TSandM]

As long as you can pressurize the ear with a simple maneuver, and release the pressure with a simple maneuver (like swallowing) the likelihood is that you won't have problems diving. Many people are asymmetric, and clear more easily on one side than the other. There is no need for the ear to "hold" pressure; to the contrary, as you ascend, you would like the pressure to leak easily out of the middle ear into the pharynx as the pressure you are breathing decreases.

 

[patrick91]

i dont think i pharsed it right im talking about when im above land and practicing equalizing i blow air into my norse while holding my nose and both ears pop fine but when i remove my hand and stop blowing 1 ear will unpop and the other will stay popped till i jut my jaw foward or one of the other equalizing methods.

on a different note i have another question regarding ears, i can equalize fine above water by jutting my jaw forward, i can hear the popping, but underwater i seem to be only able to equalize by pinching my jaw and blowing, any tips or answers to this would be appreciated.

thanks in advance for answering both questions.

 

[TSandM]

Patrick, I did understand what you were describing. What I said was that it isn't unusual for people not to have the same "ease" of equalizing on both sides. I can always equalize my right ear; if I'm going to have any trouble, it will be on the left. You also clearly have one Eustachian tube that's very easy to open, and one that requires more effort. It shouldn't be an issue.

Most people have to pinch their nose and do something to equalize pressure while decending; some have to do a jaw thrust or swallow to equalize coming up, too. It is a rare person who can equalize without using his hands.

You might enjoy watching this (long) video describing the anatomy and function of the diver's ear.

 

[stefo2]

When I "practise" equalising on land, sometimes both ears stay "popped" until I move my jaw or swallow, sometimes only one does, sometimes both pop back without any help. So based on that and on the fact that I have no troubles equalising while diving, I think you'll be just fine.

Regarding your second question - above water, like on planes, I can usually equalise without pinching my nose (just by swallowing and / or jaw-moving), whereas under water I need to pinch my nose and push air into my ears with my tongue (no breathing involved) on descent, nothing on ascent. So again, based on that, I don't think there is anything wrong with you...

 

[CamG]

Greetings Patrick and welcome to Scuba Board! Your ear question is a very important one and has been met with some really great advice. I to have had your same issues of variety while practicing equalization and actual diving. I have found what TSandM has said to be quite the truth. I find myself and other divers doing a variety of equalization techniques on every dive. It can be different from day to day and some times a simple swallow will take care of it. No kidding just depends on where your body is at while diving.
One helpful tip, "GO TO THE ENT" that is ears-nose-and throat specialist. Find one that dives and he can make the equalization so much more comfortable. I have allergies, sinus trouble, you name it I have had it. H1N1 was the latest challenge. I love my ENT he is with out a doubt worth 10x what he gets paid! Man I hope he doesn't read this!
My point is that with proper pre-dive preventative and dietary considerations my diving has been effortless. Just good to know because everyone I have known dive wise has a bump in the road with equalization. Just the way it is.
NEVER FORCE IT! Only bad comes from this and I have seen it. You are better to take your time or abort the dive. It is not worth it!
Good luck and safe diving to you.
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

 

[Lee Taylor]

I just remember something that seems to help tremendously. I was speaking to a man that works for PADI. (Apparently he has worked for PADI for quite some time) He told me that he was told that Navy divers snort salt water before they dive to help with equalization. Sooooooo. I purchased a nasal spray, from the grocery store, that contains only saline. I start using it 24 hrs before a dive and it seems to contribute significantly.

Food for thought