Ruptured Eardrum

Question
Hi, I am in high school and ruptured my ear drum diving. The doctor said it will take 2-6 weeks to heal, and that I can not get the ear wet during that process. However, I will miss roughly my whole senior season if it takes 6 weeks. He brought up the possibility of diving with an earplug in to keep out the water. Do you have any experience with this?

Answer
Hi Rob

I currently coach high school diving in Washington state and have two divers who wear earplugs. They did not rupture their eardrum but are susceptible to ear infections/problems. They use a wax type ear piece that form fits into their ear and does not allow water in. They are available at any drug store.

If you use them I would do a few things first. Try them out in the shower and make sure no water gets in. If they work and you want to try them at the pool I would try swimming under water first. If that works, then do a slow descent in the deep end without going off the board. You want to check to see if it hurts to go deep. This is why you should go slowly. If it hurts to go deep, I would not do diving practices.

The other thing I have had divers do in this condition is along with the earplugs, I have them wear a swimmers racing cap to further help in keeping the water out. The only problem is when you somersault fast, sometimes the cap flies off !

The most important thing to do is make sure no water gets in your problem ear. If it does, you need to get it out right away as it could cause an infection and then you might miss your season.

In any case, do what the doctor orders and have a safe and successful season.

Tom Trapp