Question Hood Ear vents?

[Akimbo]

I just completed reading A Little Detail by Gary Rose, M.D., FACS in Dan's Alert Diver Magazine, Q2 2022. In summary, it describes his external auditory canal barotrauma caused by this hood sealing air in his ear. The author blames it on forgetting to vent his hood before descending. It struck me as very odd since punching a small 1/8" or 3mm hole in my hood for each ear has been my practice since my dive instructor recommended it 60 years ago.

Custom punched vent hole for ears. Paper inserted in hood for photographic purposes.​

There have been a number of times I forgot to punch ear vents on a new hood but the first dive reminded me of the error. My question is: isn't this standard practice?

 

[Brodydog]

I read that article also. Interesting and a good reminder.

 

[AngusHDay]

Guess I will be doing some hood altering LOL. Was reading this thread last week about venting hoods and now I've gone and done the stupid to myself. No worries, it wasn't super deep but I will be adding the holes.

 

[rick00001967]

maybe in some circles it is standard practice. whether it is or not it can be a helpful idea. it has never been an issue for me but i have had several students that after complaining of having trouble clearing their ears, the problem was found to be the hood. simply lifting each side near the ear and allowing water in seemed to help in each case.

 

[Akimbo]

it has never been an issue for me but i have had several students that after complaining of having trouble clearing their ears, the problem was found to be the hood.

Good point. I suppose the shape of the outer ear can make it unnecessary for some lucky divers. I find trapped air to be really annoying due to sound attenuation, aside from potential barotrauma issues.

 

[TMHeimer]

I guess everyone is different. I've never had any problems with my unvented hoods. Water always gets in there. Sometimes right after I submerged I lift my head out of the water to clear the water from my ears (not sure why, as it obviously goes back in). Maybe my hoods don't fit as tightly as others', so punching a hole in them may be necessary.

 

[Endler's]

How did you punch that perfect hole?

 

[SlugLife]

This is the first I've heard of poking holes in the side of your hood. Some I've bought are vented at the top, to let air out. I haven't had any issues yet, but I guess it doesn't hurt to poke some small holes in the sides of the hood.

 

[SlugLife]

How did you punch that perfect hole?

View attachment 728107

A hole punch, for paper should do the trick. A hot needle or screw-driver might also work.

 

[Akimbo]

How did you punch that perfect hole?

View attachment 728107

I have a set of hole punches, which get a workout in my shop. I prefer the style with round tops that can be chucked into a drill press or electric drill. They cut much cleaner in all kinds of resilient materials when spun at slow speed compared to pounding on it with a hammer.

Here is an example: