How to Equalize Ear Pressure When Scuba Diving
Torben Lonne
Torben traveled to South East Asia for scuba diving and never really stopped his search for new adventures. His affinity for gear that works and his...
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How to Equalize Ear Pressure When Scuba Diving
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Wow, your content is very amazing. You are truly dedicated to what you do.
Love the infographic, and it’s new to me to equalize this way.
Again, only the ENT doctor with experience in barotraumatics can give you specific advice, since it entails knowing your personal reaction to this medication or another. As to the dangers of compressed air remaining in the inner ear space, there’s not much chance on that. The eustachian tube is rarely clogged itself, in most cases the blockage occurs in the mouth/nose/sinus area and blocks the air entering the tube(s). If the air is forced into the inner ear, it will likely be able to escape naturally as one ascends to the lesser pressure area.
I’d avoid experimenting and relying upon the internet advice, and I’d never take any medication for short-term effect. Your health is way too important to risk. It is my most serious suggestion that you go see a specialist for dive-related problematics (not just any ENT doctor!), and get a thorough examination. No two people have same organisms, so there’s no universal solution for the same problem.
Lori, you should have an examination of your whole ENT tract thoroughly checked and by someone who understands barotraumatics. Your description of problems appear like there is some trouble related with your inner ear where, as you know, your balance center resides. Maybe the pressure difference affects in some way your sense of balance (mechanically or hydraulically?), which in turn gives you vertigos while the pressure changes. The theory could be confirmed if you have similar problems during air travel, though not so pronounced as in diving.
That’s also what andro-barometric vertigo means, translating as human (andro-) pressure-changing (barometric) vertigo …
I hope your problem is not unsolvable, since it’s a difficult location for surgical corrective action, should such be required.
I hope I’m wrong, and it proves to be something simpler to get rid of (blood pressure related?)
Dive Safely!
I would love to hear from you experts out there. I’ve been diving since the 90’s and I just developed an issue since 2015. On my first few dives of my trip I will equalize well but on my ascend, I begin to experience vertigo and motion sickness. I become disoriented; I hold onto my buddy’s arm for a slow ascend then motion sick rest of the day. I’ve even has a sinus squeeze, too. The doctors on Bonaire said I had andro-barometic vertigo but they speak dutch. The doctors here in the states don’t understand that diagnosis. I have an appointment with an ENT before my nest trip to Bonaire so wish me luck in them giving me suggestions. Have you heard of what I’m experiencing and do you have a diagnosis/ idea on how to prevent this?
I had a DM suck on a lifesaver or piece of hard candy while descending; he claimed that was a great way to clear your ears. I’ve tried it once with gum, seemed to work pretty well. It was a bit uncomfortable having something in my mouth while underwater but I think I could get used to it.
Sometimes my one ear clears but the other doesn’t, so continued efforts to clear produce unequal pressure in the cleared ear resulting in pain, and the risk of damage. I’ve discovered that I can avoid this problem by closing off the cleared ear while I equalize the other ear. I do this by pressing on the tragus (the bit in front of the ear-hole) of the cleared ear with my finger to produce a small positive pressure which prevents the tympanic membrane from bulging outwards.
It works for me; maybe it can help others with this problem?