Perforated ear

[Gwilym]

I recently had a perforated ear. This was not caused by diving, but by flying after having a bad cold. Realized I had a problem at a thousand feet. (To late to turn back.)
This happened about six weeks ago. Since, I’m told that the perforation has healed.
My hearing has started to come back in my right ear. But I now have ringing in my ear. (Tinnitus???)
I asked my ENT doctor how long it would be before I could go diving. I was told that there was no problem I could start right away.

I can clear my ears. But my right takes a lot more pressure to clear than the left. Any way to improve the equalization of my right ear.(I was told to chew gum)

I work in the Middle East and don’t have a lot of confidence in his advice.
If anyone has any experience of this I would appreciate any information / advice.
Thanks

 

[pipedope]

If your eardrum has healed you should be ok to dive.
For a really great discussion including a streaming video lecture go to;
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html
and scroll down to Middle Ear Barotrauma:
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/MEbaro.html

The discussions, demonstrations and pictures of peoples ears are very informative.

michael

 

[Dee]

Originally posted by pipedope
If your eardrum has healed you should be ok to dive.
For a really great discussion including a streaming video lecture go to;
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html
and scroll down to Middle Ear Barotrauma:
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/MEbaro.html

The discussions, demonstrations and pictures of peoples ears are very informative.

michael

These are excellent sites! Thanks Michael.

 

[pipedope]

Thanks,

I stumbled into the article on another site and they mentioned a streaming video of the lecture and gave a link.

I strongly suggest that people read the article and then watch the video. Truely a fantastic resource.

michael

 

[Gwilym]

Michael
Thanks for the link , looks like a good site

 

[pipedope]

Oh, to find the video you need to follow the link to "video portal";
http://www.washington.edu/uwtv/ondemand/HealthyU.html#diver
should work. There are a bunch of other video lectures on there.

I sure love the internet.

michael