Question about scuba diving and ears?

Question

Ok, so when I was younger, I've never had problems with ears or earaches or water staying in my ears, but for the past two years, water has been getting stuck in there and causing earaches. I was wondering if my sensitive ears could keep me from getting SCUBA certified or from diving down deep under water. Also, if I wore earplugs to keep water out of my ears, would the pressure I feel going underwater increase for some reason? Could this be potentially very serious? P.S.- I've aslo developed occasional and sudden but momentary hearing lapses and ringing. Is it a sign?

Answer 1

You should definitely contact a specialist doctor before going diving if you have a history of ear problems.  The biggest pressure change is between the surface and 10m (33 feet) which is in the range of a "Discover SCUBA" course.  Your dive centre should be able to help you out.

If you are OK, DO NOT WEAR EAR PLUGS.  These cause more problems than they solve (sorry for shouting).

There is a mask on the market which includes ear covers connected to the main part of the mask. This keeps the ears dry and at the same pressure as the rest of the head.  I have never tried this device but I know it exists.

Good luck.

PS I would see someone about the hearing problems regardless of diving!

Answer 2

I would try a discover scuba course which will take you on a shallow dive to see how your ears react. As mentioned, you cannot wear ear plugs while diving since air needs to escape from your ear canal.

Answer 3

My ears are also quite sensitive, and sometimes, when scuba diving, it is a problem : I need to go down quite slowly so that my ears have time enough to equilibrate, and still sometimes it is a little painfull. But I will not let this prevent me from diving, it is such a wonderful experience...

Concerning you problem, you cannot wear earplugs when scuba diving, since the volume of the air trapped in you ear will evolve with the changing pressure... and this can damage you ear. Another possibility is to use specific oil, to put in you ear (almond oil), it prevents irritations.

Hearing lapses and ringing can be a sign of problem in you internal ear, and this can get worst after diving... You should probably see a ENT specialist before your first dive.

(please forgive my English, I'm French)

Answer 4

I would seek advice from a doctor that practices dive medicine or at the very least, search on Divers Alert Network and/or call them and ask.  I've never used them but there is an earplug made for scuba called Doc's Proplugs.