Ear Barotrauma

[cummings66]

I'd be a bad instructor, I could never go up and down like they do. It'd kill my sinuses. Once down I'm down until air constraints makes me return. No ups and downs for me.

[matt151617]

I don't think so, the symptoms seem to match up with barotrauma. Right now I have to constantly clear my ears so they pop, to relieve the pain.

Anyone know what DAN insurance will cover in regards to this? Like how much of the doctor's visit, and will they cover prescription ear drops?

[matt151617]

So I definately have ear barotrauma... my right ear is full of blood. It's apparently not draining or won't stop bleeding, and it's been 9 days now since the injury. My doctor referred me to an ENT doc, who he said will probably put a tube in to drain the ear.

In regards to insurance... DAN insurance is covering everything... every doctors visit, all prescriptions, etc., 100% with no deductible. I have to pay the full amount up front and then get reimbursed, but still, that's fantastic. I'm in a 30 day rut right now between health insurance companies, so I don't have any health insurance. Apparently if you have insurance, DAN covers what your health insurance doesn't.

The doctors visit alone was $70... just for him to look in my ear and give me a referral. I can just imagine what a specialist visit will cost, and the procedure of draining the ear. A few years ago, I got 2 stitches on a small cut on my hand, and it was $750...

So DAN insurance has already saved me double what I paid for it. Hell of a good deal.

[rawalker]

It's great to know you're covered even if it makes it tight on the wallet at first.
My wife and I have excellent health insurance from work in addition to DAN coverage. In an emergency for out of network we are responsible for 20%. With the possibility of DCS and it's specialized care requirements I'm sure it could add up quickly. Nice to know the 20% is even covered.

[diver-wife]

Originally Posted by USF_Diver

Thats true for me also, I notice once past 30 ft I don't have many issues.

Also avoiding going up and down alot in the first 15ft if I do this I notice I have equalizing problems till I do my next dive.

This seems pretty commonplace, the greatest % change is in the top 30 ft, I ahve to equalize about 3 times in that first 30 feet, then rarely after that

[JillianAnnO]

I had trouble on my second to the last dive on my final day of OW certification. I descended slowly, matching the decent of my DM but for some reason, and for the first time, I had horrible ear pain, pressure, and whistling.. it was horrible and I just remember pointing to my ear to convey the discomfort then my DM had me ascend about 1 -2 feet and the pressure was better but never stopped. I was able to make my final dive to receive my cert, but I haven't been back yet and I wanted to dive last week. Doc gave me some great antibiotics and after just one pill today, I'm back at 100% and ready to go to Terrell this weekend!! Can't wait!

[mannyolivarez03]

Originally Posted by matt151617

So I definately have ear barotrauma... my right ear is full of blood. It's apparently not draining or won't stop bleeding, and it's been 9 days now since the injury. My doctor referred me to an ENT doc, who he said will probably put a tube in to drain the ear.

In regards to insurance... DAN insurance is covering everything... every doctors visit, all prescriptions, etc., 100% with no deductible. I have to pay the full amount up front and then get reimbursed, but still, that's fantastic. I'm in a 30 day rut right now between health insurance companies, so I don't have any health insurance. Apparently if you have insurance, DAN covers what your health insurance doesn't.

The doctors visit alone was $70... just for him to look in my ear and give me a referral. I can just imagine what a specialist visit will cost, and the procedure of draining the ear. A few years ago, I got 2 stitches on a small cut on my hand, and it was $750...

So DAN insurance has already saved me double what I paid for it. Hell of a good deal.

Good to know that it covers where you insurance doesn't.........

[JugglingMonkeys]

If you've got the most expensive DAN insurance, then it covers everything dive related - as secondary insurance.

I know, because I too have a barotrauma right now. About 3 weeks into it. I'm still diving though. But it hasn't got any better so I'm thinking of quitting diving until it clears up.

Still half deaf in one ear. Some dizziness, but not as bad as at first.

[thesmoothdome]

Originally Posted by cummings66

I'd be a bad instructor, I could never go up and down like they do. It'd kill my sinuses. Once down I'm down until air constraints makes me return. No ups and downs for me.

Fact: You're an instructor, you're diving, head cold or not.

Fact: Sudafed and Afrin are your friends...It sucks but it's true.

Fact: Repeated decents and ascents are part of the job. That's why Sudafed and Afrin are your friends.

Fact: It's not exactly in your best interest.

[matt151617]

Got checked out by the ENT today... everything is good. The damaged ear has healed fine, and he said there's just a little bit of mucus/blood residue left in it. All my physiology is fine too. Got the ok to get back in the water. He basically said be careful diving, but there's no restrictions or anything from doing scuba unless this happens every time.