Ruptured eardrum after lightning strike.

[BGWOJ]

Hi, I'm hoping that someone can give me some advice so that I can continue diving please! Nearly 2 years ago I was struck by lightning whilst working at sea, obviously I'm very lucky & happy to be alive. The only lasting injury I have is a perforated eardrum. I've been to several doctors including a specialist diving doctor and they all say that I can't dive or free dive at all now. My eardrum was totally destroyed/burnt. Today, nearly 2 years on nothing much has changed. 1 of the 3 layers in my eardrum has managed to make a very thin seal in my ear but it just ruptures at the slightest changed of pressure. The doctors say that it won't heal anymore, surgery is an option but they say that even that will be no good for diving. I've worked on the sea my whole life so to be told that diving is now out of the question is very hard for me. If anybody has any advice or can help me in anyway please message me! Thank you & sorry for the long rant!

 

[tursiops]

Sorry, you are probably not going to be a diver. All medical advice I've seen says you have a 100% problem.
Your best bet is to go to an ear doctor who is also a diver. Listen to what he says.

 

[Zef]

I would seek an otolaryngologist (ear-nose-throat specialist) who specializes in middle/inner ear surgery...Give DAN a call to see if they have any recommendations for doctors of this type to contact.

There is a great otolaryngology deparment at Yale University Hospital in New Haven Connecticut. I see that you are in/from Spain so that might be an expensive phone call to discuss your issue, but depending on how important diving is to you they may be worth considering to contact.

-Zef

 

[BGWOJ]

Thanks for the reply. I've seen the doctor from our nearest decompression chamber & unfortunately she also thinks that I won't be diving anymore. I'm just hoping that maybe someone somewhere can think of a way that I can dive again. Thanks again.

 

[BGWOJ]

I would seek an otolaryngologist (ear-nose-throat specialist) who specializes in middle/inner ear surgery...Give DAN a call to see if they have any recommendations for doctors of this type to contact.

There is a great otolaryngology deparment at Yale University Hospital in New Haven Connecticut. I see that you are in/from Spain so that might be an expensive phone call to discuss your issue, but depending on how important diving is to you they may be worth considering to contact.

-Zef

Hi Zef,
Thanks, I connected DAN and have seen the doctors that they recommended. Unfortunately they also think that I won't be able to dive anymore. They sueggested maybe surgery not also said that it would probably not withstand the pressures of diving.
I'll get in contact with Yale. Thank you for you reply.

 

[BGWOJ]

Sorry, you are probably not going to be a diver. All medical advice I've seen says you have a 100% problem.
Your best bet is to go to an ear doctor who is also a diver. Listen to what he says.

Thanks for the reply. I've seen the doctor from our nearest decompression chamber & unfortunately she also thinks that I won't be diving anymore. I'm just hoping that maybe someone somewhere can think of a way that I can dive again. Thanks again.

 

[Zef]

I would expect that most doctors to recommend a conservative approach which is to alter your lifestyle to protect your health as diving with out a tympanic membrane will result in a flooded middle ear which can cause some nasty infections. You need someone who has experience in middle ear/inner ear reconstructive surgery and plead your case that diving is a part of your life that you are not willing to give up.

The reality is that you may never find a doctor willing to give you even the slightest guarantee that your ear will be stable enough to with stand the forces involved with diving...you are looking for needle in a haystack type doctor who has some radical experience with experimental procedure.

Even the military would have a diver with this type of injury change their occupational specialty or medically retire them. Perhaps in addition to seeking an ear-nose-throat specialist you should find a good counselor/psychologist to help you deal with the very possibility that your diving days are in the past. Please don't take that as condescending as I mean that in the most sincere way possible.

-Z

 

[BertStevens]

No advice. Just want to extend my sympathies. I cannot imagine being told I can never dive again. I hope you find a solution!

 

[BGWOJ]

I would expect that most doctors to recommend a conservative approach which is to alter your lifestyle to protect your health as diving with out a tympanic membrane will result in a flooded middle ear which can cause some nasty infections. You need someone who has experience in middle ear/inner ear reconstructive surgery and plead your case that diving is a part of your life that you are not willing to give up.

The reality is that you may never find a doctor willing to give you even the slightest guarantee that your ear will be stable enough to with stand the forces involved with diving...you are looking for needle in a haystack type doctor who has some radical experience with experimental procedure.

Even the military would have a diver with this type of injury change their occupational specialty or medically retire them. Perhaps in addition to seeking an ear-nose-throat specialist you should find a good counselor/psychologist to help you deal with the very possibility that your diving days are in the past. Please don't take that as condescending as I mean that in the most sincere way possible.

-Z

Thanks, I'm coming round to the fact that my diving days are more than likely over but I want to exhaust every possibility first! Thanks again, I appreciate it.

 

[BGWOJ]

No advice. Just want to extend my sympathies. I cannot imagine being told I can never dive again. I hope you find a solution!

Thank you very much.