Right ear won't equalize?!!

[RIbum]

I have been around water all of my life. Just recently I started to do some free diving and am happy in the 15-25feet/4.5-7.5meter range. I can equalize, and practice it when I'm not in the water.

However, my right ear does not want to follow the plan! I feel like I have to pressurize so forcefully that I'm worried about my left eardrum. I end up equalizing my left, and my right starts to suffer to the point of pain!!! This is getting so bad that at the end of the diving when I start to head back to the beach after 2-3 hours of diving, when I spit out the phlegm that has accumulated there is fresh blood. Not a lot, and it never persists after I clear out the big gunk everyone gets. This blood is probably from the sinuses and back of throat from the high pressure frenzel maneuver

Are there any dry exercises I can do to help my right ear? I need to make it easier to equalize that side, because I'm either blowing out my left or not equalizing enough. Is this lopsidedness common?

 

[vali]

i have the same problems with my left
after some hours of underwater hunting i also have some blod in my mask
i=m not worried about this
yesterday i experienced big problems with my left ear in scubadiving not in freediving
the litle problem was that i was traped in a little cave hole with air above but wit the exit at 11 meters bellow
i tried 7 times to equalize but don=t succeded
finally whaen i succeded i was fuzzy for a couple of seconds
i never experienced this in freediving
today i went at 11 meters with no problems at all
it was like a simple practice (30 seconds go and return)
in scuba there seems to be problems (perhaps because of the obtured sinuses or perhaps because i don-t equalise as often as in freediving)

 

[naiad]

Are you sure you are doing the Frenzel correctly? To test it on land, breathe out completely and then try to equalise. If you can do it, you are doing the Frenzel. If you can't, and are trying to pull your stomach in, you are not doing the Frenzel. I had that problem for a while, but now I can do it correctly.

 

[RIbum]

Vali, I'm a little worried. I get anoyed and equalize one ear only, because I am afraid of hurting the other. But then the under equalized ear begins to hurt and I can't dive for 2 weeks.

Naiad, yes I can do it with air from my lungs, or using my tounge as a piston, I can do it with my mouth open, or closed. My problem is that I can do one ear, but not the other becomes more and more difficult to equalize as hours pass. Soon I pre-equalize (pressure up) on the surface, and equalize on the way down BUT only for my left ear and my right begins to hurt when I'm on the bottom and I equalize it once I am down and once it hurts...

I think my right tube is either smaller, or has more mucus...?

 

[hcknudsen]

just don´t pressure to hard, I´m stuck on land for unknown time with a hole in my eardrum....
I think I remember a friend mentioning something about som pills or something that could open up you canals, try asking your doctor.

good luck
hc

 

[DeepThought]

Forcing equalizations is a tricky business that can lead to hearing loss.
When your right ear is stuck try tilting your head to the left and equalizing, it might let you put some air in it.
Other solutions are:
Try to equalize as often as possible, even 3 times per meter if that is what you need to avoid these problems. You can try to equalize continuously from the surface.
A better long-term solution (if you can achieve it) is to work on opening your tubes in similar fashion to hands-free equalization. You might not be able to equalize hands-free but you might get rid of your current problem.

If diving causes you pain or bleeding then you're doing something wrong, I would work on fixing it and not wait for future cumulative damage or one-time trauma to prove me that I'm wrong.
Vali, I would worry if I was you.

 

[atomichaggis]

I think that Washington uni video about equalisation needs to go on a sticky.

 

[fcallagy]

Agreed its a very good video that has been around a while but I only saw it it recently.

 

[hcknudsen]

is it available on the net for streaming or dl?

hc

 

[atomichaggis]

is it available on the net for streaming or dl?

hc

UWTV Program: The Diver's Ear: Under Pressure

 

[hcknudsen]

Thanks

hc

 

[The Killer's me]

i have the same problem with my left ear too... by practice, things are getting better. my Dr. said that i got a deviation somewhere in my nose, so i have to sit for an operation to fix this problem.

anyways, i know how annoying it is when u have the will to go deeper, but u just can't bec of one ear.
keep practicing and try to see a Doctor.

good luck
cheerzZz

 

[vali]

Vali, I would worry if I was you.

well
i know that is some reason 2 be worried 2
but i know that this problems are because of some childish "mallpraxis"
when i was young i used to dive at 8 m depth with great ear pain [because of not knowing the technique]...perhaps this lead me to undesireable repercussions...young means 12-14 years of age
i'm somehow shure that my problem reside in not cealing my sinusess before going down....
in the near fututre ai will go 2 the doctor to inshure myself that the eardrumm is ok
sun...pictures from mediteranean sea [alanya]

 

[mandarinaguy]

UWTV Program: The Diver's Ear: Under Pressure

Where could I DOWNLAOD this file so I can upload it to my mobile?

Thanx

Chris

 

[atomichaggis]

Where could I DOWNLAOD this file so I can upload it to my mobile?

Thanx

Chris

You might be able to find a program online to save it onto Your computer from that site.

 

[mandarinaguy]

You might be able to find a program online to save it onto Your computer from that site.

Tried, couldn't find it, nevermind; this will do as well

Thanx

 

[doz]

ive had the same problem with my right ear too, but after taking a week or two off and putting antibotic drops in it, its not an issue any more but it was so painfull and frustrating.

 

[James Jay]

atomichaggis wrote:

I think that Washington uni video about equalisation needs to go on a sticky

Geat Vid!!! I have had some problems as well, this vid puts it all into proper perspective with great techniques to solve problems. Approx run time 55mins. is well worth a look. Thanks

Originally Posted by atomichaggis
UWTV Program: The Diver's Ear: Under Pressure