Ear problems while diving

Question
Hello mike, I love free diving and scuba diving, the problem is that I can't equalize my ear well and when i do i have tp reverse equilize them coming back up. My question is do you know any device that could make it possible to not have to equilize my ears any more. Even if the solution is only for shallow free dives. Thank you in advance, Andrew.

Answer
Hi Andrew,

The short answer to your question is "no, there aren't any devices that will eliminate the need to equalize your ears".  However, I can provide some information that may help you.

I assume that you know the anatomical structures which make up your ear.  The eustachian tube is the passageway that allows air to enter your middle ear to equalize the pressure changes occurring when you dive (either scuba or free diving).  That tube needs to be patent (open) in order for air to pass through it.  The tube opens naturally when you yawn or swallow.  Yawning while diving usually doesn't happen but you can usually swallow at will.  Try it and see if it helps.  Of course, pinching your nose while blowing gently against it will also help but this assumes that the eustachian tube is already open for the air to pass through it.  Generally, the gentle pressure of blowing is enough to force air through the tube but not always, especially if you have congestion.

There is a medical procedure in which hard-walled tubes are inserted into the eustachian tubes to keep them open but this creates another problem so it's not done to make diving easier.  The tubes need to remain closed most of the time to keep saliva and bacteria out of tubes and thereby out of the middle ear (the tubes empty into the back of your throat so they are bathed in saliva constantly).  If this fluid is allowed to get into the middle ear, infections would result.  The inserted tubes are used to allow fluid collecting in the middle ear to drain away and they are only left in place temporarily.  The doctor would tell you not to dive while the tubes are in place anyway.

Something else that you might try is chewing gum while you dive.  You need to be careful, of course, to make sure you don't inhale or choke on the gum but the chewing action may help you to open the eustachian tubes for equalization.  As I said, be very cautious if you try this since inhaling the gum is a choking hazard.

There are also ear plugs with tiny holes in them that many divers use as an aid to equalization.  The holes are necessary to permit the pressure to equalize on each side of the ear plug.  Otherwise the outside pressure would force the ear plug deep into your ear and cause other problems.  However the tiny holes allow the pressure against your eardrum to build more slowly as you descend and many divers find that this gives them more time for equalization and helps in that process.  Doc's Pro Plugs are designed especially for this and you can find out more by doing an internet search for them.

Normally, you don't have to perform any special actions on ascent to equalize the pressure since the increasing air pressure in the middle ear normally flows freely out through the eustachian tube.  If you're having problems here then you might have an anatomical issue that should be addressed with an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Physician.  Chewing and/or swallowing should aid you in equalizing as you ascend as well.

So, Andrew, while I cannot offer a positive solution to your problem, I hope the information I've provided will give you some ideas you can try.  Hopefully, one of them will help solve your equalization issues.

Best wishes for a successful solution!!

Mike Giles
Mike's Dive Center