Do You Have "ear Fear"?

[WaScubaDude]

WHAT IS "EAR FEAR"?
Ear Fear is a term I (Dr. Edmond Kay) have coined to describe the apprehension associated with middle ear equalization. It tends to occur in individuals who have had prior middle ear trauma, a frequent childhood history of middle ear infections or those who just get queasy when they feel new bodily sensations. To some, this sensation of pressure in the middle ears and the crackling in one's head associated with the popping open of a Eustachian tube is uncomfortable. These are the individuals who do not like to "pop" their ears and many have been told all their life that this is "bad to do". For these individuals, middle ear pressurization effort is anxiety provoking and efforts tend to be very cautious and tentative. For many of these novice divers, middle ear trauma occurs at the first dive. Students can become confused about the actual pressure needed to achieve middle ear equalization when well meaning friends remind them not to blow too hard. This advice is certainly prudent when a student is under water and experiencing middle ear squeeze. Unfortunately, for the squeamish individual, and especially if a marginally patent Eustachian tube is present, this limits the ability of some to pressurize adequately at anytime during the dive. Pressurization of the middle ear can and should be vigorous on the surface, when no negative pressure gradient is present across the middle ear. This means that it is possible (and desirable) for an individual to pre-pressurize the middle ear and to inflate the Eustachian tube prior to descent. Pressurization of the middle ear provides a pillow of air behind the tympanic membrane, protecting the "ear drum" (TM) from barotrauma." As descent occurs, more air can easily enter an inflated Eustachian tube and pass into the middle ear, if pressurization begins early in the dive. If the Eustachian tube is allowed to collapse at any time during descent due to squeeze, the pressure to re-inflate it becomes greater. For this reason, I always recommend that individuals practice pressurization of their middle ears prior to diving in order to test their Eustachian tubes for patency, and to perform middle ear pressurization before beginning actual descent to cushion the ears against trauma..

Got the idea on this thread from a thread started by Roughwater about the best article you have ever read. This was such fantastic advise for divers having trouble equalizing I had to repost.

Entire article: Prevention of Middle Ear Barotrauma

[kjvander]

I do have to admit that this was one of the topics that as a new diver was on my "huh" list. Everything else that you do in Open water can be shown and easily demonstrated....but equalizing your ears is one that can be told and half way demonstrated...but has to be learned on your own...you can mimick the moves but you never know if you are doing it right from the get-go.

Thanks for the article...very interesting and a good read.

[mrm777]

After a reverse squeeze, I was a little anxious.
But just try to stick with the axiom..."clear early and clear often".

[cummings66]

I've had a reverse block once, not an issue since I had over an hours worth of air left at that depth, so I waited it out. You can also suck in and sometimes clear a reverse block.

[DMWiz]

Originally Posted by kjvander

I do have to admit that this was one of the topics that as a new diver was on my "huh" list. Everything else that you do in Open water can be shown and easily demonstrated....but equalizing your ears is one that can be told and half way demonstrated...but has to be learned on your own...you can mimick the moves but you never know if you are doing it right from the get-go.

Thanks for the article...very interesting and a good read.

The video on the home page is great to understand what happens and how to avoid it.

All instructors should play that video for their OW students.

Wiz

[sea princess]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post this. very informative and helpful. my biggest issue is clearing my ears and usually after my first dive. i just always let my buddy know i sometimes take longer to descend due to my ears but i do manage to clear them.