Problems with right ear

[ErFrappa]

Hello everyone!

I'm posting here because I really would like to enjoy freediving more but I have some issues with equalization and ear pain that I hope to solve.

I can reach a maximum depth of about 3-4 m, I try to equalize using Valsava (I think...) but, even equalizing many times before that depth, I start feeling pain at my right ear and I can't go deeper.

The strange thing is that when I try to equalize, I hear a hissing sound in my right hear instead of the click sound that I hear equalizing on land, while my left hear doesn't seems to equalize but doesn't cause any pain.

After that, for some hours after the dive, if I try to equalize on land I hear the same hissing sound and occasionally I feel a little pain during the following day.

I'm trying to learn Frenzel with no success until now.
Do you have any tutorial for dummies like me?

How can I solve this problem?

Thanks and sorry for my bad English

 

[The-Pupil]

Have you forced an equalization before? Sounds like a barotrauma

 

[ErFrappa]

I hope not! I always try to not force too much and to stop going deeper when I feel pain...

 

[The-Pupil]

Do you have access to a buoy and a rope? Easier to equalize with toes first and pull down on the rope. That way you can go back, tilt your head etc.

 

[ErFrappa]

I should be able to try that next weekend. I'm going to report if that helps! Thanks

 

[ErFrappa]

In the meantime, how can I learn frenzel?
I read a lot about it and tried many times but still can't get ears click even out of water...

 

[Frenzyfinder]

This might be obvious but have you cleaned your ears?

Ear cleaner (carabide peroxide) or topical hydrogen peroxide works well on flushing out wax and particles


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[ErFrappa]

No, never tried that.
Do you know any products that are worth a try?
Thanks!

 

[The-Pupil]

Please check this video from Mr Solomons regrading the frenzel:

I can't give you much information as I could do frenzel from the beginning (i thought it was the valsalva).

 

[Frenzyfinder]

No, never tried that.
Do you know any products that are worth a try?
Thanks!

I personally use 3% hydrogen peroxide. There are also a bunch of ear cleaning solutions you can find at your local drugstore. Brand name is apples to oranges.


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[jarrardb]

I have the same problem..my doctor referred me to an ear nose and throat specialist who stuck a camera up my nose to inspect the bottom end of my eustacian tubes. Turns out I have excessive mucus in that area despite being otherwise healthy. He suggested I take sudafed (a cold and flu tablet containinh pseudo ephedrine) an hour before a dive and use a nasal decongestant spray before suiting up. He also suggested I 'practice' equalising every day. I have to say, these steps alone have made a huge difference to my dives and since seeing him, i have not had any mahor issues equalising (to about 12m). Importantly, if it hurts and you can't equalise, stop! You need to get your body upright (head up) and try again and if it still doesn't work, return to the surface.

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[Hydro-Mike]

Op- I would say relax and start over learning how to equalize. First don't get stressed if you have read and listened to all thats out there and still don't get it. It will come in good time. Have you read eric's artical Frenzel-Fattah, if not I would encourage you to read it several times . read it slowly and take your time walking through the steps. Again relax it will come. As you read about the technique he uses walk yourself through it at a calm and leisurely pace, this is not a race. Everyone is different and do things slightly different to attain equalization. I know its frustrating right now, but relax and have fun with it and it will come. If I find a link to the article I will post it up later. I had a difficult time getting equalization down at first also a lot of divers due. Leave the Valsalva tech on the shelf. Make sure you have got it down before you go back to the water to try. learning the technique on dry land in your living room nice and calm is better than attempting to do it in the water. I would wish you good luck , but luck has nothing to do with it and I know you will get it in good time. I look forward to your posts and dive reports in the future.

 

[Hydro-Mike]

This is not the original but something to read https://wefreedive.com/resources/training/4-frenzel-fattah-equalizing-workshop

 

[Hydro-Mike]

Here is the original

 

[Mike H]

When trying to do frenzel. Try equalizing with a slightly open mouth, just open up so that the lips arent touching eachother. Pinch your nose and try to equalize. If you can manage, then apparently it cannot be valsalva. I thought I had been using valsalva my entire life to equalize, but after reading up on freediving I realized I always used frenzel.

 

[ErFrappa]

Thank you all for the precious help!

During the last weekend I made some tests with a rope, I managed to get a little deeper and for sure a correct head position helped a lot equalising my right ear.

The problem is that I can't equalize my left ear.
I read and watched all the resources you posted here (thanks!) and I'm learning more and more about equalization and about myself.

Now I'm almost sure that I've always used Frenzel to equalize,
I can do it without any movement of the diaphragm an I can do it with my mouth wide open,
but I can feel the "fullness" of my left ear just occasionally on land and never under water.
Going down with the head up, moving my jaw, looking forward can let me equalize my right ear earlier or with less effort,
but doesn't make any difference about my left ear.

Should I go to a doctor?
Is there any other exercise that could help my left ear to equalize?

Thanks a lot!

 

[ErFrappa]

A little update while trying many equalization tricks seen around.
If I tilt my head to the right (almost touching the shoulder) I can equalize my left ear (usually just my left ear, not both together..)

 

[Hydro-Mike]

That sounds like some good progress. Its great when you figure out what works for you. I often have to tilt my head for my right ear. Have fun with it now take it slow and build on your progress in a steady methodical way, being comfortable with each step before progressing forward. Its just you for you, not a race. Enjoy the water.

 

[ErFrappa]

That sounds like some good progress. Its great when you figure out what works for you. I often have to tilt my head for my right ear. Have fun with it now take it slow and build on your progress in a steady methodical way, being comfortable with each step before progressing forward. Its just you for you, not a race. Enjoy the water.

For sure it is!
I found out that if I stretch my neck till touching my chest with my chin I can equalize my left ear quite easily.
It's not the most comfortable and the fastest way to equalize, but for now it's the best that I can achieve.

 

[ErFrappa]

Since a couple of days I started making some exercises with otovent,
and following the instructions I'm using it three times a day: morning, midday and evening.
During the first two sessions my ears pop as usual but, after the evening session, it really open up my tubes and I can equalize both ears simultaneously and every time I try.
Unfortunately this magic effect disappears after about 30 min and in the morning I have to move my head around to pop my left ear as usual.
Did someone had similar experiences with otovent?