Swimming in Deep Water Hurts My Ears!

[SelkieLuna]

How do I swim in deep water without giving myself a head/earache? I can't seem to swim any deeper than five feet my ears ache really bad from the pressure and I get a dizzying headache. Is there a trick to swimming deep without hurting myself?

[Kait]

It sounds like you aren't equalizing correctly as you dive down. However, you should always consult a professional for advice.

[SelkieLuna]

How do you equalize??

[Merman Storm]

'Equalize" is the same thing as "popping your ears" like you do when you fly on an airplane, or go up into the mountains. There are several ways. The classic method used by divers is hold your nose, keep your mouth closed, and blow air into your mouth, puffing out your cheeks. You only need to do iit going down. Usually, your ears will pop on their own going up.
But, you should check with your doctor that nothing bad is going on in there.

[AniaR]

Get your ears checked. I can't equalize due to inner ear problems

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[Mermaid Wesley]

The easiest way to equalize is to swallow. you should equalize about every 2.5 feet or less to keep pressure from building behind your ears. if you are struggling to do it, dont dive till youve figured it out or you could hurt yourself. if you wear earplugs it can make it hard or impossible to equalize properly.

[Winged Mermaid]

Get your ears checked! I use to have no problem diving down to 15 feet. Then last summer 15 hurt, now 8 feet hurts. I can't equalize either, I've tried. I've had a lot of other ear related issues pop up in the past several months- dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, and tinnitus. Even driving one town over that's slightly higher elevation my ears pop too. I'm hopefully seeing and ear nose and throat doc in the next week or two to get checked out myself.

[AptaMer]

This is one of the best videos I've seen on how to equalize


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeL5dI5Hkg8

[aureliamermaid]

If you're having problems equalizing, it could be a side effect of sinus issues. I highly recommend a daily antihistamine like Zyrtec and an over the counter low-dose decongestant like phenylephrine HCl when you know you'll been swimming. Seasonal allergies and any kind of sinus drainage will greatly impact your depth range. Remember, all those tubes are connected. Any issue with your sinuses will effect your ears and vice versa.

Definitely DON'T push it! I've been scuba diving with what I thought was just seasonal junk, and wound up with a reverse block after a depth of only 20ft. NOT FUN. If you find you can equalize at 6ft and not 8ft. Move back up and try equalizing 7ft. Only move deeper if you're able to equalize at the more shallow depth.

If none of this helps, I would recommend seeing a doctor.

Good luck!


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[SelkieLuna]

I went to a doctor!

I saw the ear nose and throat doctor and he told me that my left eustacian tube is dysfunctional. My eardrum is retracted because of the pressure difference inside of my ear.

Deep sigh.

My right ear pressurizes fine but I've got to use nasal spray to try opening up the left tube from the inside out. :( It's been about a week of using the Flonase and I think it's starting to open up but it's still not equalizing.

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[aureliamermaid]

I went to a doctor!

I saw the ear nose and throat doctor and he told me that my left eustacian is dysfunctional. My eardrum is retracted because of the pressure difference inside of my ear.

Deep sigh.

My right ear pressurizes fine but I've got to use nasal spray to try opening up the left tube from the inside out. :( It's been about a week of using the Flonase and I think it's starting to open up but it's still not equalizing.

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It'll take time for your body to adjust, but at least now you know what you're dealing with!


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[SelkieLuna]

I was afraid that my ear was broken forever and that I'd never be able to dive again!

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