I am one of those persons who is unfortunate to be plagued with narrow Eustachian tubes, making my early dives in the sport frustrating due to difficulty in equalizing, fortunately after a lot of time practicing on improving the flexibility of the Eustachian tubes, learning the Frenzel technique, and clearing my sinuses with saline solution a few times a week, I am now able to dive using BTV up to 15 m and deeper using the Frenzel technique.
However my problem is that after several dives, equalizing becomes progressively more difficult, and I would have to switch to Frenzel earlier, in most days that is fine, but some days the regression is so quick that I find myself barely able to equalize to reach 7 m, and the problem is always with my right ear, I barely ever feel any pressure on my left ear.
After doing some research the only cause that I could find, is that narrow Eustachian tubes are very susceptible to cold water and that is causing inflammation to the inside lining. I can't begin to explain how annoying it is to go from an effortless 20 m dive to a 7 m equalizing limit in less than an hour.
my question is how can I prevent this? the only solution that I can think of, though not one I favor, is to take some anti-inflammatory pills such as Advil before the dive. am really hoping that someone with experience in this issue can offer some insight, but any advice and opinions are appreciated.
However my problem is that after several dives, equalizing becomes progressively more difficult, and I would have to switch to Frenzel earlier, in most days that is fine, but some days the regression is so quick that I find myself barely able to equalize to reach 7 m, and the problem is always with my right ear, I barely ever feel any pressure on my left ear.
After doing some research the only cause that I could find, is that narrow Eustachian tubes are very susceptible to cold water and that is causing inflammation to the inside lining. I can't begin to explain how annoying it is to go from an effortless 20 m dive to a 7 m equalizing limit in less than an hour.
my question is how can I prevent this? the only solution that I can think of, though not one I favor, is to take some anti-inflammatory pills such as Advil before the dive. am really hoping that someone with experience in this issue can offer some insight, but any advice and opinions are appreciated.