[thunderbrick]

This is a scuba/audio question.

Monday the wife and I took scuba lessons and went down to 10M or so.  We were told how to equalize the pressure on our ears and it worked fine.

Problem is that our ears still feel plugged up 5 days later, especially my right ear.   If I put pressure by holding my nose I hear a little clicking or pressure changes in my right ear.  Not painful, just a HF loss and a nuisance.

It this normal?  Should it clear up in a few days?  Any solutions?

Thanks!

brick

[stlrman]

I would think that it would clear up in a few days.
I have been certified for 25 years and never had any problems with me ears.
But , swimming with my daughter this past summer, every time I go under the water my ears are getting clogged and feel screwy for days after. I have not tried ear plugs yet, but I will in the future. You both may give this a shot to see if that helps. You guys were not that deep for that to be an issue. I have been down to 130 feet and it felt no different from 10 feet as long as you are pressurizing every 5 to 10 feet. 
It's a wonderful sport! I want to go somewhere with my wife to get her certified this year.
Where we're you diving at?
I have enjoyed diving in Cozumel , Playa Del Carmen( great Cenotes!), Dominican Republic, St. Thomas , Key West, Thailand, and Hi.
Enjoy,
Todd

[jlupine]

If the usual approach of swallowing, yawning, and gum chewing doesn't help, I would consult a specialist.  I had a lot of trouble equalizing on my training (certification) dives:  my ears felt plugged up, I had inner- or middle-ear pain, and my nose was bleeding as I emerged from the water.  I had your symptoms without pinching my nostrils shut.  My instructor recommended an otorhinolaryngologist who was also a scuba diver.  The ENT was less concerned than I was;  he said that my eardrums had been "displaced" but not ruptured, and he gave me a prescription for an oral medication.  He also mentioned that there was a medication that one could take before diving to reduce the chances of having problems.  My ears cleared up, but I didn't go diving again. 

[thunderbrick]

Thanks, guys!  That helps!

It was in Cozumel, and a really great experience, but I doubt I'll do it again.  I have enough hobbies and other things on my bucket list.

[charles28722]

Sudafed.

Despite what you were taught in dive class - their concern is of the medication wearing off while at depth and a 'reverse squeeze' occuring, which is a very legitimate concern.  New divers commonly have problems with ear pressure equalization and the problem can often be while ascending rather than descending. 

The eustation tubes of non (or new divers) are usually constricted because they rarely have to function.  As you dive more frequently, the tubes open up. New divers have to push against constricted nostrils to open the eustation tubes and equalize on descent.  There is no means for reversing during ascent.  It has to happen naturally as pressure decreases.  Often it does not, or does so more slowly than would be desired.  The sensation can be very unpleasant.

If you plan to dive more, it helps to "equalize" frequently when not in the water - while driving, at your desk, etc.  Within a few months, your tubes will open and you will notice immediate equalization.  Experienced divers equalize on descent by simply swallowing or elongating their jaws.  You'll be able to with time.  Meanwhile, take extra time ascending and work your jaw and ears frequently.  The slightest of sinus issues can screw the whole plan. 

Assuming you have no ear problems, you probably have a closed tube and one ear has not equalized since you ascended.  The sensation is that of a clogged ear and the perception of mild hearing loss in that ear.  Take sudafed and after a few hours or a couple of days you will probably feel that welcome relief.   

Charles

[JoshK]

My dive instructor in Maui told us to take Sudafed and Ibuprophen after we dive to clear up any issues we had with our ears.  He said the Ibu reduces any swelling and the Sudafed dries out your sinus passages.

[thunderbrick]

Doctor said one eustation tube was completely blocked and put me on Prednisone regimen.  Started to clear up almost immediately but over the weekend it reverted to problem when a sinus infection returned.

May be a second trip to the doctor.

I'll try the Sudafed, thanks!

Bob