HELP! Ear plugs, diving and bleed.

[Bahamascott]

Back story first.
Was spearing back home in Bahamas this August. I started using silicone ear plugs (speedo brand) because I have a tendency to get water deep into my ears. Day one I started at 40ft and ended the day shooting fish at 65ft. Second day I was spearing at 50ft and at about 40ft I had a sharp pain in my left ear. Surfaced immediately and the pain went away on the way up. Dove at 50ft for another half hour and returned to the boat to move locations. I removed the ear plug and blood came out. Now I went immediately to the Dr. and was told I had burst a blood vessel in my inner ear. Thank God no tear or issues with eardrum!!!!

So here's the question. Can and do earplugs cause this issue? I had read something regarding air space created from plugs that might do this as well as wearing diving hoods.

Any input greatly appreciated.

 

[William Freeman]

Yes, unvented earplugs can cause great damage not only to blood vessels but also to your eardrum. This is widely known and quite frankly I'm surprised that this information has seemingly evaded you. You can't equalize when your ear is stuffed up with a silicone plug.
If you're going to use earplugs you need vented ones, like Doc's Pro Plugs. The issue with hoods and ear squeeze doesn't affect everyone. Some people remedy this by inserting small holes with hot needles where the ears are.
You're quite lucky that you didn't do more damage.
Don't use those ear plugs for diving anymore. Dive safe.

 

[Bahamascott]

William, I'm surprised I had never heard of this issue either and that's with 25 years of being in the ocean. Crazy thing is I never had an issue all these years. I'll be ordering the Doc's plugs. Appreciate the input.