Barotrauma at the very start of aescent

Hey there, I could use some help from experienced fellas as I've got a barotrauma today. Before I continue let me state that I've already went to the closest family doctor (gave me some drops and told me to look for medical help if I'm having troubles after one-two weeks). I will be looking for more medical help tomorrow though.

I was freediving today, started with ear clearance test on the surface (pop, swallow with pinched nose, regular swallow to unblock). I've did my first dive to 6 meters, with proper equalization, everything is fine. 2nd dive, 10 meters. On my 3rd dive, I went for 20 (26-28 being my top). I use Valsalva (still need to learn proper mouthful/Frenzel). Did a first "pop" on the surface, 2nd time around 4m, then 8, 12 ears and mask, 16 meters ears and mask, descended to 20. Then I've stopped, checked my gauge and switched from head down to ascent posture. I've immediately heard a loud pop in my ear. Not the regular pop, but a painful-scary kind of pop, followed by bubbles and air sounds. Like someone popped a bear can in your ear. I didn't recall any extreme pain or anything. I've signaled my bud on the surface that he needs to be cautious since I might need emergency assistance, immediately stopped my movement and tried to tilt my head a bit, moving my jaw and so on. I surfaced very slowly, stopping every few meters to tilt my head and wiggle jaw being paranoid. When I surfaced, I had a major vertigo (horizon danced left and right to 45 degrees, had difficulties to maintain a balance). Recovered while laying on my back, it was gone in few minutes, however some dizziness and nausea lasted for another hour. It's been 8 hours since the accident and I'm having ear discomfort and minor hearing loss (sounds are muffled on my right side and man, those chewing sounds inside my head when I eat!).

So, I'm wondering, what were my mistakes if any and what could have caused an issue? Prevention in future?

Some other details that might be useful or just me being paranoid:
- Hooded open cell suit (no earholes if that matters), 3mm in 23 Celsius. Could any air trapped inside the suit cause an issue? Especially when switching from head down to normal. Anything to do with the sudden water flooding the hood?
- Didn't change my diving routine in any way. Been there, done that
- After the accident, when I've got back to the shore, I surprisingly sneezed few times
- Didn't had any issues or discomfort with equalizing during dives. Smooth, simultaneous and clear "pops" in my ears
- Had a normal diet that day, a guilty cup of coffee 4 hours prior to diving. Had an ibuprofen tablet a day ago (headache)
- I'm fit and don't have any conditions. Had this ear inflammation about a year ago
Sorry for the lengthy post and overdetail, but I totally didn't see it coming and now I feel unsecure.

Ah, I want to learn mouthfill, not mouthful
eng is my 2nd hehe

Follow-up: proper ENT check, eardrum rupture. Could be some hood issue. Should have made those ear holes perhaps, it's a pity I've became aware of this issue just now. Why don't wetsuit manufacturers don't do them?

Anyway, 2 months recovery time on meds, no diving and no flights which is funny since I'm stuck on an island. Now why this block/equalization fail has occured? >.<

Appreciate your feedback and thanks, I hope that recovery goes smooth.

I did equalize my mask during that dive. Also, I didn't felt any build-up of pressure and pain prior to the pop, it's just happened instantly so that I'm ruling out mask/fast ascent, etc.

I've discussed this issue elsewhere and I feel this one is an exact spot on of what's happened that day (provided by DownInBlue):
"It could be because of air trapped in the hood. As you were going down it formed a bubble against/in your ear, preventing you from having to equalize enough. When you switched to ascending the air escaped and your insufficiently equalized eardrum gave in.
It could also be a reverse squeeze but it is much less likely since you said it happened at the very beginning of the ascent."

Also when going head down air from suit crevices could escape to the lower body area and form an air bubble. When I've started to switch from head down to go up posture, that air travelled down the spine channel and flooded the hood leading to sudden reverse block.

Anyway, gotta put those ear holes in my wetsuits and flood the hood a bit when diving

MarcinB said:

It's hard to say what was the direct cause of the ear barotrauma. It's strange that you didn't feel any pressure/pain etc. before it happened. However, your way of equalization would likely lead to this kind of problem sooner or later anyway. You went down to 20m with only 5 equalizations and you should do around 15. That puts a lot of strain on your eardrums.

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Perhaps I should feel that strain you describe.
I think this might be personal as equalizing intervals vary among us. I'm used to my intervals as it is the most comfy way to dive for me and I descent only if I don't feel any ear pain/discomfort. Besides I've had an impression that overdoing equalization and over pressuring your ear is dangerous as well and might lead to the inner ear barotrauma and some people might experience troubles on their way back. Here is a description:

http://www.yourhearinghelper.com/ear-protection/pressure-exposure/freediver (inner ear barotrauma 4)

Please correct me if this is wrong. I'm not trying to be a smart ass, just learning this way

MarcinB said:

Most people would feel significant pressure in their ears if they did equalization once every 4m (of course i'm talking about shallow depths).
The general recommendation is to equalize frequently, especially during the first 20m (once every 1-2m). Over pressuring your ears is definitely not a good idea but it wasn't what I meant. My advice to you is to equalize gently but more frequently.

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Fair point, going to follow your advice when I recover

HoneyBadger actually gives a f8ck Thanks, that is an invaluable input