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Did you have these issues while doing pool drills?
If you didn't suffer these issues while doing the pool drills then ask yourself what is it that you did differently while in the ocean.
Also, like others said, equalize while you're on the surface before even submerge, then descend slowly in a vertical position with your head tilted slightly backward so that your neck (and your Eustasian tube) is pointed upward and straight. Most days I can just blow and go, but some days I have to do this.
The key is to be able to descend slowly, and the only way to do that is not to be overweighted with lead. Otherwise, you hit the deflator button and you drop towards the bottom like a rock. Not enough time to do any proper equalization.
Another thing is to make sure that your nose is free of "gunk" for lack of better words. Rinse your face while you're on the surface, make sure that the nose is well soaked and blow all the snorts out.
I've suffered blocks during dives because there were snort build-ups during the dive.
I had trouble clearing when i first started diving and now do many deep dives so don't give up hope.
As has been said over and over in this thread clear early and often. But what does that mean? For me it means i start clearing almost the moment i leave the surface and just continually clear until i reach my destination. Do not wait until you feel pressure because by then it's too late and i can almost guarantee if you do clear at that point you will traumatize you ear canal. Which leads to the congested, clogged feeling in the ears upon surfacing and muffled hearing. If you practice you can get better, more efficient at clearing. You can even practice on land while watching t.v. it doesn't take much. The next thing is my MD said i have small eustachian tubes (who knew) and suggested i take a nasal decongestant with and anti-inflammatory before dives. this just helps ensure the passageways are clear and that there is no inflammation to reduce the diameter of the canal and allow for better clearing. YYMV on the second part.