Eustachian tube balloon procedure for diving

[lunula]

Just wrote a really long and dreary post detailing my ear woes, but deleted it because honestly, not seeking any advice on any of that - there really isn't anything else I can do/try in that arena. I know that some people just can't dive due to their ears, but hoping I do not fall into that category!

My real question is - has anyone here had the Eustachian tube balloon procedure and had it help their ears while diving? My otolaryngologist suggested it might help, as it would stretch my tubes and potentially make equalizing easier and more effective. Wondering if anyone else here has any experience with it? I have a consult next week with the doctor who performs the procedure. Also, my insurance likely wouldn't cover it since I do not have "official" Eustachian tube dysfunction, but willing to pay out of pocket if it'll help.

 

[iamrushman]

have you been examined before??...perhaps you do have a stenosis of some sort...then it should be insured. ..keep us informed.

 

[kelemvor]

Eustachian tube dysfunction: the treatment with Balloon Tuboplasty

Seems to be something recommended by the Aussie version of DAN if I read that article correctly.

 

[lunula]

have you been examined before??...perhaps you do have a stenosis of some sort...then it should be insured. ..keep us informed.

Never been officially diagnosed with anything other than chronic, year-round allergies with resulting inflammation and congestion. Over the years I've also been unsuccessfully treated for tinnitus and have been told my ear canal (or maybe Eustachian tube?) was curved/shaped oddly. Honestly, not sure what that means exactly as I've never really asked and no one has told me it was causing a specific issue - though I'm sure the specialist I see next week will have a look and tell me if it might be covered. Hoping it's covered and if not, it's not excessively expensive.

Heck, maybe it would help with some of my other, non-diving, ear issues!

 

[lunula]

Eustachian tube dysfunction: the treatment with Balloon Tuboplasty

Seems to be something recommended by the Aussie version of DAN if I read that article correctly.

Thanks for this!! If I go through with this, I will likely be diving again at the end of July - so I'll report back to everyone here on whether it made a difference or not. Again, I'll also write a quick summary on what they say in my consult next week.

Unfortunately, when I contacted DAN they had no dive medicine doctors listed in Charlotte and I'd have to go about an hour outside the city to see one, which I think is nuts. In a city this size, why the heck wouldn't we have a dive doctor? Hopefully the doctor I see next week will have an inkling about dive medicine.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Lunla,

Your profile says you have at least 200 dives. Apparently, you have gotten down before. I'm wondering if, before going through an operation, you might try some simple things, like going to a pool, and equilizing starting on the surface and every couple feet down from there. It could be technique, and not your ears, that are a problem. Allergies could also influence this. But beware that any time there is an invasive procedure, there could be complications. So do the simple things first, and then, only if all else fails, go for an operation.

SeaRat

 

[KevinNM]

Thanks for this!! If I go through with this, I will likely be diving again at the end of July - so I'll report back to everyone here on whether it made a difference or not. Again, I'll also write a quick summary on what they say in my consult next week.

Unfortunately, when I contacted DAN they had no dive medicine doctors listed in Charlotte and I'd have to go about an hour outside the city to see one, which I think is nuts. In a city this size, why the heck wouldn't we have a dive doctor? Hopefully the doctor I see next week will have an inkling about dive medicine.

There are very few ENTs that have dive medicine specialties. I had the choice of 3. One 6 hours away and the others 12 hours in opposite directions. Phoenix, Dallas and LA. There are none in New Mexico, Colorado or Utah. So I have minimal sympathy for your having to go an hour.

I’d contact Duke dive medicine if I were you. Which is where DAN is, but it isn’t the same thing.

 

[MargaritaMike]

I have over 1200 dives and only with the last 25 or so I have had a problem equalizing. I had also done a face plant on asphalt in 2016 which messed up my breathing also. I went to an ENT who fixed my deviated septum and did the balloon procedure on my Eustachian tubes. I can now breathe AND equalize easier. It's not purported to be permanent but it CAN be. Good luck with your decisions.

Cheers -

 

[GrantColorado]

All,
I have never posted on a forum before, but thought this was important.
Yesterday I went through the bilateral Eustachian tube balloon surgery as well as Adnoid removal.
Back story(this may apply to some of you).
I have been diving since ‘95 and have always had trouble equalizing only my left ear. I would descend at such a slow rate the left ear would almost “naturally” equalize over about ten minutes. Once I made it past the first atmosphere I was fine. Over the years the time to equalize got longer and longer resulting in shorter bottom times. Fast forward, I found there was no equalizing without damaging my eardrum. I went to the ENT earlier this year who put a camera down my nose and found my adnoid had grown OVER my left Eustachian tube opening, thus preventing air to be allowed in. ENT recommended surgery to remove the adnoid and balloon both tubes. The surgery was 45 minutes under general anesthesia. I was advised not to attempt to equalize my ears or even blow my nose for ten days. I plan to dive in the pool in the next few weeks to see if this surgery was successful. Regardless of the outcome I will post the results. I hope this is the answer and my diving days aren’t over.

 

[KevinNM]

Oops.

And good luck.