Unsure where to start...

[akakinder]

Hi everyone,

I've posted before about eustachian tube dysfunction. I dived once in March (only swimming pool) with a snuffle. After that, I saw a dive doctor who diagnosed me with ETD and gave me steroids to clear it up. When those didn't work, I was referred to an ENT specialist. Please note, before this I have never had one problem with my ears or equalising.

So I saw the doctor and she looked up my nose and in my ears, not finding anything out of the ordinary. However, as soon as I mentioned scuba diving - she immediately told me to find another hobby and to not dive as my ears suddenly can't deal with pressure. This would also mean I couldn't travel the euro tunnel or fly because of the air pressure. I am going to a highly experienced and esteemed dive doctor for a second opinion as I really do not want this to be the end of my what would be, short lived dream.

As it stands, I'm booked for a pressure test and have the feeling of blocked ears, slight pain and occasional tinnitus.

Does anyone have any opinions on this please? Is there such a thing as suddenly not being able to deal with pressure? Does this sound like I won't be able to dive again?

Many thanks in advance,
Amy

 

[Khrissi]

Odd that - you can equalise yr ears fine. But no Channel tunnel crossing ?? I would get second opinion in case Drs are playing it safe in ignorance.k

 

[Edward3c]

Hi Amy,

There are a small number of individuals who can’t clear their ears because the tubing in the skull aren’t wide enough.

I’ve only come across one person, in 40 years, who had this condition.

 

[akakinder]

Odd that - you can equalise yr ears fine. But no Channel tunnel crossing ?? I would get second opinion in case Drs are playing it safe in ignorance.k

Sort of. I can equalise but then feel like I have to do it again nearly straight after. Like something is blocking them ever so slightly. No discomfort, just a blocked feeling. Annoying either way. The doctor was extremely dismissive, definitely.

 

[akakinder]

I've n

Hi Amy,

There are a small number of individuals who can’t clear their ears because the tubing in the skull aren’t wide enough.

I’ve only come across one person, in 40 years, who had this condition.

I've never had a problem before with this?

 

[Khrissi]

MRI scan then but I remember my first dive-equalising badly n paying for that fr a week ! No problem since k

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi everyone,

I've posted before about eustachian tube dysfunction. I dived once in March (only swimming pool) with a snuffle. After that, I saw a dive doctor who diagnosed me with ETD and gave me steroids to clear it up. When those didn't work, I was referred to an ENT specialist. Please note, before this I have never had one problem with my ears or equalising.

So I saw the doctor and she looked up my nose and in my ears, not finding anything out of the ordinary. However, as soon as I mentioned scuba diving - she immediately told me to find another hobby and to not dive as my ears suddenly can't deal with pressure. This would also mean I couldn't travel the euro tunnel or fly because of the air pressure. I am going to a highly experienced and esteemed dive doctor for a second opinion as I really do not want this to be the end of my what would be, short lived dream.

As it stands, I'm booked for a pressure test and have the feeling of blocked ears, slight pain and occasional tinnitus.

Does anyone have any opinions on this please? Is there such a thing as suddenly not being able to deal with pressure? Does this sound like I won't be able to dive again?

Many thanks in advance,
Amy

Amy,

This would be very unusual but not out of the question. I'd wait to see what the diving physician has to say. If you hurt your ears in March you could still be dealing with inflammation from that. Inflammation from ear barotrauma is notoriously persistent.

Best regards,
DDM