Ear problem

[Margaret de Bethlen]

Hi all

Don't know if I'm stressing about nothing, perhaps someone can advise? I was in Egypt recently, and whilst at the bottom (having descended fine, no problems) I suddenly got a sharp pain in the side of my head near my left ear. It stopped very soon and then I felt fine so I forgot about it. On ascent I was fine, and no probs afterwards. No hearing loss, no equalisation probs, no pain. About a week after I got a bit of pain in the same area, and sort of squelchy sounds in the L ear as though there was some liquid in there. I dived again just recently (ie a week later again) and again the descent and ascent were fine and hearing more or less fine, but I'm aware of a slight difference in the left ear, almost as though it was slightly blocked/slightly less clear hearing than the right. I did have a slight head cold between these episodes. Should I worry about this or leave it to see what happens for a few days? Thanks

[David Walker]

Should I worry about this or leave it to see what happens for a few days? Thanks

If it was me i'd just leave it - I've had a few little ear problems in the past, particularly after a week of intensive diving which I imagine your Egypt trip was, and it always just goes away. The only thing that would make me a little suspicious is the fact that is was sudden, which i'm not sure about - but having slightly different hearing in each ear has happened in the past to me quite a few times and its never been a problem, it just comes and goes for a short period (sometimes hours, once over a week) after the diving.

I'd say sleep on it, and if its still funny after a couple of days then think about getting it checked out. Of course only you know exactly how your ear is, so if you do think it may be a real problem then just go and see a doctor anyway, it can't hurt.

David

[Mike Halligan]

Hi all

Don't know if I'm stressing about nothing, perhaps someone can advise? I was in Egypt recently, and whilst at the bottom (having descended fine, no problems) I suddenly got a sharp pain in the side of my head near my left ear. It stopped very soon and then I felt fine so I forgot about it. On ascent I was fine, and no probs afterwards. No hearing loss, no equalisation probs, no pain. About a week after I got a bit of pain in the same area, and sort of squelchy sounds in the L ear as though there was some liquid in there. I dived again just recently (ie a week later again) and again the descent and ascent were fine and hearing more or less fine, but I'm aware of a slight difference in the left ear, almost as though it was slightly blocked/slightly less clear hearing than the right. I did have a slight head cold between these episodes. Should I worry about this or leave it to see what happens for a few days? Thanks

I have no medical training. Like David, I'd say keep the ear clean and, most importantly, dry. Do not put anything into your ear except -
(to free an obstruction) almond oil; or
(to dry it) Swimear.
Otherwise, the saying goes, nothing smaller than your elbow.

Leave it alone and if there's any pain in the next few days, see a doctor. Depending on your postcode, you may have to contact your GP right away in order to be examined by the end of next week.

HTH

Mike

[Margaret de Bethlen]

Thanks for your replies...

I told my boss, who is a surgeon (not ENT but stil..) and a diver. He didn't think it sounded like a big deal and it seems to be getting better fingers crossed. I am now treating my ears with truckloads of TLC, cotton buds are a banned substance, only the best wax eating drops from now on. I've also posted my prob on "scuba-doc" which seems fantastic, they have actual doctors there, but they've yet to emerge from the bank holiday. I'm still curious to hear what they say and may post about it when I do, as I could tell from the number of ear questions on that site that it seems to be the main physical problem area for divers... thanks again