Ear drum issue

[Coral Sniper]

Hey fello freedivers

I got a issue with equalization in my right ear. I had been diving about 5 days in a row with most of it in the 15-30 meter range. I had been diving normally the day I had my problem it all started with a small pinching pain in the right side of back of my neck a bit behind me ear on deeper dives. I kept diving with this until returning from a 20m dive and just before I hit the surface my right ear had a reverse-block (I was not in terrible pain but I felt it) and it made a sound kinda like a blown up ballon that was let go:blackeye.

So I rested for 2 days and dived the next, I could equalize fine but there was pain in the right ear going up and down more pain on deeper dives.

Whenever I equalize(on land, right now) my eardrum makes a flexing sound, if I hold my nose when I equalize and apply a little more pressure and then back off a little, back and forth my ear drum flex's back and forth and make this kind of sound that something flexing would make.



Went to the ear-dock and he said my right ear drum is contracted a bit compared to the left, he only advised me to steam breath.
I have not had a cold and I am very familiar with equalization my sinuses are totally clear.

I want to keep diving and I need some help to know if there is any one else that know whats really going on with my ear

Thanks for the help

 

[rxcnc2]

I want to keep diving

First, glad to know someone from N'alofa is on the forum
Second, you may have to be patient.

About your ear problem, not sure I understand completely the flexing sounds etc, however I had an experience which could or could not be similar several years back. I was diving rather deep and forced one of my eardrums too much. I had the impression, like you say, of a balloon being deflated and thought I had ruptured it. Went to a doctor, well not exactly a ear doctor this was Dahab, he was a gynecologist but took out the right tools out of his drawer to look at my ear and told me it was not ruptured and to stay out of the water for one week. I stayed out for a couple of days only, then started gently to try this and that, every time I thought I could feel air blowing through my eardrum but actually I was able to equalize and soon I was deep again and the strange noise was gone.
So hopefully you just stressed it and you need some time to let it get back to normal.

Mind you, just my experience not sure it's related to you problem. All the best.

 

[Rik]

You have been to a ear-nose-throat specialist, and that is the best you can do. I am not sure why he advised to steam. It sounds like you had a underpressured ear without hemorrhage or anything else you can find after diving. Steam might help to get rid of mucus in the Eustachian tube. If everything fails, you might want to see him again, or find a physican who is more in to diving releated ear problems.

 

[fcallagy]

A reverse block can cause issues with the inner ear and I would get that checked out again as if it is its a serious issue if left but not if treated early. I would have search the book out to get a name on it. For what its worth I would try another ear doc to be sure.