Ear Question

[btallas]

I just completed my OW certification this last Sunday and have been having an issue with my ears since. There is no pain involved whatsoever but there is a cracking / popping sound almost every time I swallow. It also sounds like I'm in a tunnel (don't know if that really makes sense).

It seems to be affecting my right ear more than my left. I've been taking sudafed the past two days plus tried the ear beer solution found on this forum.

I'm a little worried that it might be barotrauma but like I said earlier, I have no pain whatsoever. Anyone know what this might be (by the way, if this is the wrong forum, apologies in advance)?

[Rileybri]

Originally Posted by btallas

I just completed my OW certification this last Sunday and have been having an issue with my ears since. There is no pain involved whatsoever but there is a cracking / popping sound almost every time I swallow. It also sounds like I'm in a tunnel (don't know if that really makes sense).

It seems to be affecting my right ear more than my left. I've been taking sudafed the past two days plus tried the ear beer solution found on this forum.

I'm a little worried that it might be barotrauma but like I said earlier, I have no pain whatsoever. Anyone know what this might be (by the way, if this is the wrong forum, apologies in advance)?

Call DAN and they can help you find an ENT with specific diving related experience. Get it checked out! Don't mess around with this kind of thing....

+1-919-684-8111 or +1-919-684-4DAN (Collect)

[chinacat46]

I'd suggest seeing an ENT or at least your Doc.

[character157]

I had something similar after my check outs and it went away after a few days...Recently I had more trouble with my right ear and wrote DAN an email around 10pm the next day. A medic got back to me the next morning and helped me understand what happened and what my next move should be. Don't wait-just do it. The ear thing is pretty common to most of us at one time or another.

[btallas]

Went to the doctor today and she looked in my ears. She said there was some fluid built up behind both eardrums. She said the fluid on the right ear was a white color so she prescribed me some antibiotics and some kind of steroid, she also told me to stay out of the water for a week (which sux since I just bought some new equipment I wanted to try out). I hope this is just a one time thing that I screwed up on and that it's not ongoing. Thanks to everyone for your advice.

[chinacat46]

No worries just hope it is a one time thing. Use ear beer after each day of diving.

[wgt]

Originally Posted by chinacat46

No worries just hope it is a one time thing. Use ear beer after each day of diving.

The noises being heard by the OP are consistent with the assessment of the physician that some minor irritation of the middle ear is afoot. Wet swollen tissues of the middle ear are making some suction noises as they join and separate with moment-to-moment changes in pressure, even caused by swallowing.

Just keep in mind that ear beer only influences the likelihood of developing problems with the outer ear (not the middle ear, which is implicated in this case). Therefore, the ear beer would not have benefited the OP in avoiding this particular problem.

Fortunately, as is often the case, the middle ear irritation sounds minor. This means that it is likely to pass soon. If the middle ear problems recur regularly with diving, however, then other preventive steps may need to be taken (e.g., decongestants prior to diving).

[btallas]

Originally Posted by wgt

The noises being heard by the OP are consistent with the assessment of the physician that some minor irritation of the middle ear is afoot. Wet swollen tissues of the middle ear are making some suction noises as they join and separate with moment-to-moment changes in pressure, even caused by swallowing.

Just keep in mind that ear beer only influences the likelihood of developing problems with the outer ear (not the middle ear, which is implicated in this case). Therefore, the ear beer would not have benefited the OP in avoiding this particular problem.

Fortunately, as is often the case, the middle ear irritation sounds minor. This means that it is likely to pass soon. If the middle ear problems recur regularly with diving, however, then other preventive steps may need to be taken (e.g., decongestants prior to diving).

She did give me a sample of Nasonex to try when I'm in Cozumel in 10 days (or if I get a chance to go to the lake next week). She said it opens your sinuses, including the Eustachian tubes, making it easier to equalize, clear, and hopefully drain. Hoping it works. Thanks again.

[roofless]

You might also want to pick up some Claratin-D (or one of the off-brands, such as Wal-tin D, ala Walgreens). It contains pseudoephedrine, so you'll have to get it from the pharmacy window & have your ID scanned (in Texas). If your sinuses are plugged up, it'll usually have you breathing fine within an hour or so. It'll clear your ears as well.

They have 12 & 24 hour sinus/allergy doses, but if you're not used to taking allergy meds containing pseudoephedrine, stick with the 12-hour. It will make you feel a little jittery the first day, but after that your body becomes acustomed to it.

I like taking it before I go to bed, because when you wake the next morning the pseudoephedrine is already in your system and it feels like you had a cup of coffee 30 minutes before you woke up. Great for those morning when you would normally have hit the snooze button. As a matter of fact, pseudoephedrine is one of the reasons that I make it to work on-time in the mornings!

[wgt]

Originally Posted by btallas

She did give me a sample of Nasonex to try when I'm in Cozumel in 10 days (or if I get a chance to go to the lake next week). She said it opens your sinuses, including the Eustachian tubes, making it easier to equalize, clear, and hopefully drain. Hoping it works. Thanks again.

No problem. As you can see, we're all happy to help when we can. Please let us know of your recovery and progress in diving.