Equalizing ears!

[PamO]

Can anyone advise? I have been diving for about 18mths and have always had a problem equalizing one ear. Providing I descend slowly I'm fine and once I'm below 10m everything is great. However, I am conscieous of keeping my buddy hovering around for several minutes and eating into valuable dive time. I had this checked out by a GP who informed me that my Eustachian tube was very narrow in that ear and taking decongestant might help. (An absolute no, no my training taught me). Most of my diving so far has been in relatively warm, tame conditions and I'm able to descent slowly and have had patient buddies. I recently went on holiday to the Maldives and due to some of the very strong currents, a quick descent was necessary to prevent missing the site which also meant descending head first and swimming hard and fast. Despite constantly trying to equalize - nothing happened and apart from almost bursting a blood vessel, at about 12m I realized I would have to ascend to relieve the excruciating pain that had built up. Needless to say, I got separated from the group in the 4 knot current which was disappointing for me and everybody else. Has anyone suffered from this problem or got any suggestions as to how to overcome it. I live in Doha, Qatar and ENT doctors with specific diving knowledge are not common. It's very frustrating and has made me apprehensive before dives now in case I can't equalize. I would like to build up my experience in different conditions but I'm concerned that I won't be able to do any dives where I have to descend relatively quickly, head first! Any advice would be welcome.

[Andy Wade]

Can anyone advise? I have been diving for about 18mths and have always had a problem equalizing one ear. Providing I descend slowly I'm fine and once I'm below 10m everything is great. However, I am conscieous of keeping my buddy hovering around for several minutes and eating into valuable dive time. I had this checked out by a GP who informed me that my Eustachian tube was very narrow in that ear and taking decongestant might help. (An absolute no, no my training taught me). Most of my diving so far has been in relatively warm, tame conditions and I'm able to descent slowly and have had patient buddies. I recently went on holiday to the Maldives and due to some of the very strong currents, a quick descent was necessary to prevent missing the site which also meant descending head first and swimming hard and fast. Despite constantly trying to equalize - nothing happened and apart from almost bursting a blood vessel, at about 12m I realized I would have to ascend to relieve the excruciating pain that had built up. Needless to say, I got separated from the group in the 4 knot current which was disappointing for me and everybody else. Has anyone suffered from this problem or got any suggestions as to how to overcome it. I live in Doha, Qatar and ENT doctors with specific diving knowledge are not common. It's very frustrating and has made me apprehensive before dives now in case I can't equalize. I would like to build up my experience in different conditions but I'm concerned that I won't be able to do any dives where I have to descend relatively quickly, head first! Any advice would be welcome.

You might benefit from trying other methods of ear clearing, all of which are detailed here:

http://bsacforum.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Ear_Clearing_Methods

I'd try practising them on the surface, then in a pool, before going on a dive. Maybe one will work better for you than the usual valsalva manoeuvre.
There is a specific one which involves tilting the head away from the affected ear, which stretches the eustachian tube to help aid clearing.

Good luck with it. :)

[Mark Cowgill]

Hi pam

Have you seen the masks that have tubes going to your ears so that when you equalize your mask it does your ears at the same time it might be an idea to try one rather than give up diving.

Mark

[Nigel Hewitt]

Have you seen the masks that have tubes going to your ears so that when you equalize your mask it does your ears at the same time it might be an idea to try one rather than give up diving.No. They don't work that way.
They are just to keep water out of your outer ear. You still have to equalise the internal bits of your ears just like before.

If you can equalise if you dive slowly do it slowly. If your buddy objects get a better buddy.
I'd try decongestants. The only problem they cause is masking a problem on the way down that manifests on the way up as a reverse block as they wear off. If the tubes are just constricted they won't be a problem as the air can find a way out where it couldn't get in.
Also try equalising very, I do mean very, often. Every meter or less.

[Eugene Farrell]

Hi

I had trouble with my ear clearing for many years. The problem with decongestants is that they can lead to a reversed ear, so too can forcing it as you descend. I did it twice!

Mine was resolved through seeking advice from an ENT specialist, I had narrow eustacian tubes too, and a deviated septum. I needed surgery to remove some cartilage from the nose, and drill out some connection at the back of the nose. This worked for me.

I fould Olbas oil worked OK, and avoiding dairy products before diving, as they lead to increased mucus production.:(

[Tony Dwyer]

[QUOTE=Nigel Hewitt]No. They don't work that way.
They are just to keep water out of your outer ear. You still have to equalise the internal bits of your ears just like before.
QUOTE]

Nigel is correct. I have one of these masks. I used it for a period when one of my right eardrum became upset whenever it got wet. A few sessions at the ENT clinic sorted it.

That said, I did find that my ears would clear more easily. It might be due to the ears being dry. I also found that my ears did not feel cold at all.
A special hood is required to ensure that the ear cups are not squashed to the side of the head.
The mask might be worth a try, but should not be considered as the cure.

My partner has a similar problem with her ears on descent, so we go slow. It's not usually a problem. If a dive requires a fast ascent she simply doen't do it. Pat has no trouble on ascents.

[Taff Griffiths]

Hi

Try different methods of ear clearing (try the link in one of the other replies). Find out which is the best one for you and stick to it.

I have found with some people the more you valsalva the eaiser it gets, you may be in this lucky group. If not, then you stick to what you are doing - descend/ascend slowly and fully brief your buddies before hand.

Unfortunately the use of decongestants is not recommended especially for long term use as some can actually cause a reversal effect and increase mucus production in the nasal passages after a few days constant usage.

I hope you find your solution. :)

Regards.

[Patrick Galvin]

When i go swimming - usualy to help my breathing for more oxygen intake and stay underwater longer, i suffered from ear problems, but i found that i was going down and up quite rapidly.

The deeper you go down the easier it is to equalize, this is because as you go deeper, the gradient is a lot less. eg when you get in the water you go from 1 - 2 metres, the pressure will double at this point from 5-10 as an example and at about 20 metres you are going from 100-105. So as you go deeper it is a lot easier to adapt to the pressure.

What helps me with equalising, is as everyone said to go slower, if you are going down and having the problem, go up a little but, tilting head slowly in both directions helps me, stretching my jaw, and a gentle blow. If you are going up and having the same problem, go back down a metre or so to equalize doing the same, then head back up. :o

-Pat

[Roz]

Eugene is spot on when he says avoid dairy products as it produces mucus.

One tip I picked up from a diving doctor was exercise your ears. You only effectively exercise your ears when you are diving. So gently practice ear clearing in your normal every day life to get your ears used to the movement. A very gentle way of ear clearing is to hold your nose and swallow.

When you are on the dive boat, just before you jump into the water, clear your ears. Clear them on the surface, and then just as you leave surface. Then as you drop down take a breath, clear, take a breath and clear.

If you can seek advice from an ENT then that is also a good path.

Good luck to you.