Pro ear 2000

[SAdude]

I have problems with my ears, gtting down. I don't want to waste gas or hod up my beautiful patient partner, so I ask;
Has any body tried the pro ear mask and is there any draw backs, or problems? Thanks for any help!

[MicahEW]

I am curious too......

[Grin]

Since clearing is specific to opening your estation tube to balance the air pressure in the middle ear, I doubt any outer ear device could help. But, I could be wrong. If your ear is temperature sensative, possibly clogging a little with cold temps, that may be what these outer ear type devices help with. I would think a hood(that covers your ears and neck/estation tube) would be of possible help. And whatever medicine you think you need to help clear the estation tubes would be the best idea. That would be the same type of stuff you use to clear your nasal passages and ears. Sudafed is the most common one.
Clearing your ears is simply opening the estation tube to alow the air in your inner ear to equalize to the same pressure that is in your mouth/nose. That is the only path to that air space. The path from the outer ear is blocked by the eardrum. The eardrum has zero air passage to the middle ear. People have blown their eardrums out due to not clearing, but I see no way to prevent this from the outer ear. you definalty do not want to seal off the ear drum from the water, as a sudden leak at depth would surly blow the eardrum instantly.
Disclaimer: I did not sleep in a Holiday Inn last night and I'm not a ear doctor.

[Kabniel]

I believe the mask isn't marketed as an aid to equalising although it's claimed it can help. If you have any kind of lumps bumps or anything other than a regular shaped face then you may have trouble getting the Pro-Ear to seal around your ears.
I bought one a few years ago after suffering with ear infections. Before I could use it I had facial surgery involving some loss of mass from one side of my jaw. The resulting uneven-ness of my jawline meant it wouldn't seal against my ear.
The use of Sudafed (or any other medicines containing Pseudoephedrine) when diving is frowned upon by some, it has been discussed on here Suddafed and Nitrox... bad combo?

There are exercises you can do to get your eustachian tubes used to equalising. Try equalising your ears several times a day for around 3 -4 days before you're due to go diving.

[terrillja]

I use doc's proplugs, they work quite well, and I have never had an issue equalizing since I got them.

[SAdude]

Thanks for the info all. I guess I'll try the different things and see, I'm going to Cozumel next week so we'll see.

[Grin]

This post makes alot of sence. I too suffered from alot of ear infections from diving in the past. I now fill my on ebad ear with a alchhol/vinegar concoction that I found with the help of DAN. Havn't had one for years now. I also wear a hood every dive of the year to keep my ears warm.

Originally Posted by Kabniel

I believe the mask isn't marketed as an aid to equalising although it's claimed it can help. If you have any kind of lumps bumps or anything other than a regular shaped face then you may have trouble getting the Pro-Ear to seal around your ears.
I bought one a few years ago after suffering with ear infections. Before I could use it I had facial surgery involving some loss of mass from one side of my jaw. The resulting uneven-ness of my jawline meant it wouldn't seal against my ear.
The use of Sudafed (or any other medicines containing Pseudoephedrine) when diving is frowned upon by some, it has been discussed on here Suddafed and Nitrox... bad combo?

There are exercises you can do to get your eustachian tubes used to equalising. Try equalising your ears several times a day for around 3 -4 days before you're due to go diving.

[Grin]

I'm not doubting you, but this does not make sence. Proplugs fit in the outer ear, and equalizing has zero to do with the outer ear or the water or air that enters there. Simply put you cannot eqaulize through your outer ear unless you blow your eardrum out. I know many claim the proplugs do help for this though, so I am not doubting you, I just don't see how it works.

Originally Posted by terrillja

I use doc's proplugs, they work quite well, and I have never had an issue equalizing since I got them.

[terrillja]

Originally Posted by Grin

I'm not doubting you, but this does not make sence. Proplugs fit in the outer ear, and equalizing has zero to do with the outer ear or the water or air that enters there. Simply put you cannot eqaulize through your outer ear unless you blow your eardrum out. I know many claim the proplugs do help for this though, so I am not doubting you, I just don't see how it works.

Here is their site:
Doc's Proplugs: The Doctor's Choice for Ear Protection

Engineering wise, they somehow help by maintaining an intermediate pressure less than that of the outside water, in practice, they work like a charm. I have never once run across a diver who uses proplugs who said they didn't really work, in fact I run across divers with a second pair, just in case.

Oh, and if I'm diving in dutch springs, you can be sure I'll have them in so I keep the water out of my ears.

[seanbesser]

Looks like nobody who has actually used the Pro Ear 2000 is responding. That's a shame because we are hoping to go diving in Cental America next month and need to know ASAP if this is an option.