Question about Ear Barotrauma

[molksmith]

Hi there fellow frogmen and women.
I have a question I recently was in Thailand completing my advanced course in Koh Tao and then ended up on a live-aboard bound for the similan and surin islands. Was diving the morning of the Tsunami and actually felt it. We were very lucky but that is another story. Anyway I never have problems equalizing but when you do those 3 to 4 dives a day one can end up with cotton ears at the end. I hope you know what I mean by that. Everything is muffled. While I was on one of the dives I started getting this slight Vertigo and occasionally I would get a block which I would clear. The Strange thing is that I always thought it was my right ear that was having problems. Anyway The stupid part is all my fault as I sensed something slightly wrong and because I was on a live-aboard I just had to get my dives in. That is the bad part of live-aboards. You pay for a week and you get 20 dives or 1 but you pay the same. Anyway I got back to Vienna where I live and kept having dizziness and slight vertigo. So of course I went to see an Ear Specialist and they gave me the whole shebang in terms of tests. And it turned out to be my left ear (I thought it was the other one) that was blocked and it is now a full 5 weeks after my last dive and I am just now returning to normal. Any ideas, tips, help y'all can pass my way about similiar experiences, tips for ear care, should I get one of those funky masks that keeps your ears dry? Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[NauticalbutNice]

Chewing gum is supposedly good for your ears (try not to chew WITH your ears ).

I don't think that those masks are a good idea, but it may be one of those things you have to try to find out if you like it or not. If you have a look in the fins, masks and snorkels forum, you might find out other peoples views on them, as well as some recommendations.

Are you sure you always clear your ears gently? I've seen some people really blowing hard/trying to force it, which is never a good idea. Sounds like you might have already had ear problems? I have done three dives in a day with no ear problems at all. Might be a good idea to get properly checked out by an ENT in relation to your diving (not just for a diagnosis, but to see if diving will cause you problems).

Hope everything works out for you.

Happy Diving!

Nauticalbutnice :fruit:

 

[dilligaf368]

When I was diving in Chuuk Lagoon I was told (after the dive) that while all the divers were "exploring" the wrecks, the Live aboard pumped the sanitary tanks overboard. The major reason this is bad, other than the apparent, is that the micro organisims are flushed into the water around the Live-aboard. That is where the divers will stage the saftey stop. The Divers would be in the same water that was dumped just 30min earlier.
The best way to keep from infections is to clean or flush all the areas of the body and pay attention to the ears. Flush out the ear canals. I also started using Hydrogen Peroxide at 50% dilution after each dive. In some circles this is not recommended but, Navy training dictates this preventive cure to ear infections. It's not a bad Idea that the divers take some Clorox at 25% solution to wipe down after a dive suspect of bad crap in the water. Be sure to wash Your hands before eating........Bill

 

[molksmith]

Hey there,
thanks a lot for the tips. I never had ear problems diving, swimming, etc.
Maybe I am clearing hard though. I will try be more gentle in the future. The vertigo thing freaked me out though. Strange thing to happen underwater.

Thanks again and thanks in advance for any other help, info, tips...
D

 

[NauticalbutNice]

It is something that I have causing problems. Just pinch and blow gently, almost like exhalation. Don't force it!

Good luck!

Nauticalbutnice :fruit:

 

[ScubaFreak]

Seems you have it sorted now, but thought I'd share.
When I first started diving, my ears gave me the most unbelievable hassle. Muffled after diving, ringing the next morning, sore later in the afternoon. Eventually I had enough and went to an ENT specialist. You wouldn't believe how blocked my ears wear. And without being to gross- you could have planted potatoes in my ears they were so full of gunk!! But he cleared them for me, and oh my god the difference was unbelievable!! I thought I'd blown a drum, but nope- just really clogged!! Gotta get em sorted every now and then, but what you described sounds just like my problem!
Hope that helped a little!

SF

 

[bubblelogist]

my husband had a ear barautrauma in the first time we were diving. he ascended too fast from 15 to 0, bad story. he got medication and stay out of the water for few weeks, and never had the problem again. He learned, the hard way.
You can find at the drug store a product to clear you ear. In canada it's called Buro-Sol, and usually recommended for those who have frequent ear infection when swimming.