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Ear Plugs?
- Thread starter ocean_314
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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Never heard of them helping with equalizing. There are some plugs that reduce the flow of water into and out of the ear to help reduced the possibility of infection and bany growths due to cold water. I believe they are called 'Pro Plugs' or 'Scott's Valve.
If you have Umberto's 'Manual of Freediving' it is on pgs. 87-88.
Here we go Doc's Proplugs: The Doctor's Choice for Ear Protection
If you have Umberto's 'Manual of Freediving' it is on pgs. 87-88.
Here we go Doc's Proplugs: The Doctor's Choice for Ear Protection
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Thats the site i saw. Here is what they say about their ear plugs.
When fitted properly, Doc’s proplugs help divers equalize
- Reduces “ear squeeze” caused by inability to equalize between the outer and middle ear
- Helps prevent outer ear and inner ear infection, vertigo and thermal reaction
- Without ear protection, 65% of scuba divers suffer from ear problems which keep them away from the sport (source: DAN)
Do these ear plugs really work?
When fitted properly, Doc’s proplugs help divers equalize
- Reduces “ear squeeze” caused by inability to equalize between the outer and middle ear
- Helps prevent outer ear and inner ear infection, vertigo and thermal reaction
- Without ear protection, 65% of scuba divers suffer from ear problems which keep them away from the sport (source: DAN)
Do these ear plugs really work?
- help equalize: Down to 20 feet (6m) maybe. They could potentially keep the pressure lower on the outside of your ear. Beyond that point it is the same mechanics as anything else. Maybe warmer water makes it easier for you clear, but doing Frenzl is a better bet.
- prevent ear infection: Definitely! I can give anecdotal evidence of swimmers who dramatically reduced ear infections using these plugs
They will help keep your ears warmer!
- prevent ear infection: Definitely! I can give anecdotal evidence of swimmers who dramatically reduced ear infections using these plugs
They will help keep your ears warmer!
A always dive with Doc's Pro Plugs?
I almost always use pro plugs. You still have to equalize normally. But for me I think it might make equalizing easier. It's subtle, not dramatic. Here's how I think it helps. It limits the cold water deep in your ear. To me, when cold water gives you a headache or starts congesting you, that makes it harder to equalize.
And people who don't know how Doc's pro plugs work always come unglued when they see you're going to dive with ear plugs. Yes, conventional ear plugs are dangerous. But ear plugs made for divng allow pressure to equalize. It's cool how it works. Keeps water out, keeps your ears almost completely dry, but the vent allows pressure to equalize as you dive to depth and ascend.
I know other divers who have tried them, don't see any difference, and don't want to mess with them. But for me, they're part of my kit and I use them -- especially in cold water.
I almost always use pro plugs. You still have to equalize normally. But for me I think it might make equalizing easier. It's subtle, not dramatic. Here's how I think it helps. It limits the cold water deep in your ear. To me, when cold water gives you a headache or starts congesting you, that makes it harder to equalize.
And people who don't know how Doc's pro plugs work always come unglued when they see you're going to dive with ear plugs. Yes, conventional ear plugs are dangerous. But ear plugs made for divng allow pressure to equalize. It's cool how it works. Keeps water out, keeps your ears almost completely dry, but the vent allows pressure to equalize as you dive to depth and ascend.
I know other divers who have tried them, don't see any difference, and don't want to mess with them. But for me, they're part of my kit and I use them -- especially in cold water.
The other aid is the mask with ear cups.
The same is true with the dive masks that have ear cups. My brother has a perforated ear drum and could not dive without this mask. Ears are completely dry in it. I've tried it. You can hear underwater amazingly well with an air space next to your ears. But . . . you still equalize normally. The pressure of the air inside the ear cups is no different than the pressure of water directly on the eardrums.
The same is true with the dive masks that have ear cups. My brother has a perforated ear drum and could not dive without this mask. Ears are completely dry in it. I've tried it. You can hear underwater amazingly well with an air space next to your ears. But . . . you still equalize normally. The pressure of the air inside the ear cups is no different than the pressure of water directly on the eardrums.
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