My ear hurts.

Mdemon · 8th November 2007, 06:47

Best of luck! And I'm thinking, like you, about getting back in the water. I can't exactly get another infection! And it's outer ear, so how's that going to cause permanent damage? (Feel free to jump in here Steve!!!!)

Is your hearing affected at all? I can't understand by my hearing is still not perfect when all the wax is gone.

And when I equalise, I hear what sounds like lots of fine bubbles before the equalised "click" - how does that happen??!

Domestos/trigene cocktail for me!*

(*That was a joke, before I start getting phone calls...)

**PhilSiswick** · 8th November 2007, 10:22

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

Is your hearing affected at all? I can't understand by my hearing is still not perfect when all the wax is gone.

I've had this a couple of times in the past - very painful, so you have my sympathy. Swim ear and a rigorous programme of cleaning my ears, plus only diving in cold water

seems to have kept it away.

I also had apparent hearing reduction while the infection was still around. I don't know if it was real, or whether I was just imagining it. I hypothesised that, as the inflammation had narrowed my outer ear canal, that might have caused it.

Quote:

And when I equalise, I hear what sounds like lots of fine bubbles before the equalised "click" - how does that happen??!

I remember that too - same theory. Not particularly scientific, but it seemed to explain the symptoms.

Quote:

Domestos/trigene cocktail for me!*

:-)

Cheers,

Ant Slegg · 8th November 2007, 11:11

There was some discussion on Rebreather World some time ago with respect to the need to do post dive ear equalisation
http://www.rebreatherworld.com/dive-...=ear+infection

Mdemon · 8th November 2007, 11:39

I equalise a lot post-dive so O2 squeeze isn't the cause. Late equalising in mucky water may be though.

Does anyone pre-treat for this? Lots of people are drying ears afterwards but is there any thought on filling your ears with olive oil or alcohol/vinegar before?

And do you use the alcohol/vinegar treatment against symptoms or just to prevent them?

I'm asking since I just bought a bucket of Isopropyl alcohol from the chemist...

**PhilSiswick** · 8th November 2007, 12:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

I equalise a lot post-dive so O2 squeeze isn't the cause. Late equalising in mucky water may be though.

Does anyone pre-treat for this? Lots of people are drying ears afterwards but is there any thought on filling your ears with olive oil or alcohol/vinegar before?

And do you use the alcohol/vinegar treatment against symptoms or just to prevent them?

I'm asking since I just bought a bucket of Isopropyl alcohol from the chemist...

I clean my ears with a cotton bud lightly soaked in baby oil regularly, though not necessarily as a pre-treatment (i.e not immediately before a dive, generally once a week or so).

I've never bothered with pre-treatment as such - I did use Swim Ear after every dive for a while, but gave up some years ago. Now I use it, or one of the OTC ear infection remedies, together with the baby oil/cotton bud cleaning if I get a twinge of an infection after diving.

Do you know, my ear hurts just typing this.....

Cheers,

CeeBee · 8th November 2007, 12:28

Quote: (Originally Posted by PhilSiswick)

Do you know, my ear hurts just typing this.....

A tip, Phil...use your fingers. Much less painful.

xC

**PhilSiswick** · 8th November 2007, 13:15

Quote: (Originally Posted by CeeBee)

A tip, Phil...use your fingers. Much less painful.

xC

Good advice, Chris. However, the alternative was continuing to bang my head on the desk. It's not a good day...

Cheers,

Phil

jdicediver · 8th November 2007, 13:48

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

Best of luck! And I'm thinking, like you, about getting back in the water. I can't exactly get another infection! And it's outer ear, so how's that going to cause permanent damage? (Feel free to jump in here Steve!!!!)

Is your hearing affected at all? I can't understand by my hearing is still not perfect when all the wax is gone.

And when I equalise, I hear what sounds like lots of fine bubbles before the equalised "click" - how does that happen??!

Domestos/trigene cocktail for me!*

(*That was a joke, before I start getting phone calls...)

I have heard that yes, an outer ear infection (otitis externa) that is not cleared up promptly can affect your hearing permanently. It can also substantially affect one's short term sanity.

My hearing, also, is not up to par yet, with the ear wax (Cerumen) necessary and advantageous to help prevent infection. So don't clean it out too often.

Inflamation of the canal does affect hearing, as well do the liquids that cause the bubbles and clicking prior to equalisation.

I initially received my ear infection (both this year and last) from possibly THE coldest lake in Alberta, and water temp apparently has nothing to do with the Mink-like reproduction patterns of the nasty moisture borne bugs that can remain in dormancy for a time even in sterile water. I finally have an appointment with an ENT, and hopefully I can put this irritating infection/dermatological annoyance to death for once and for all.

You can bet when I speak with him this time, I will ask ALL the questions that need to be asked, as well as a complete UNDERSTANDABLE explanation for all the cause and effects present. After all, I AM the one paying him to eat, so it is time these GP's stopped pretending we are all DP's and tell us what is really happening during a visit.

As I stated earlier, get to a SPECIALIST, then and only then do you have even the slightest chance of taking care of the issue. Most GP's I have been to over the past two years for this same issue can't even spell otitis externa, let alone pronounce it or remotely treat it correctly. <present thread participants excepted>

jdicediver · 8th November 2007, 13:57

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

I equalise a lot post-dive so O2 squeeze isn't the cause. Late equalising in mucky water may be though.

Does anyone pre-treat for this? Lots of people are drying ears afterwards but is there any thought on filling your ears with olive oil or alcohol/vinegar before?

And do you use the alcohol/vinegar treatment against symptoms or just to prevent them?

I'm asking since I just bought a bucket of Isopropyl alcohol from the chemist...

For further reference, you probably shouldn't have seen a chemist...in my esteemed and multiply exposed experience possibly only an explosives expert will be sufficiently trained, and effective enough to cure these symptoms. Careful though, there are numerous concerns to be aware of when using an incendiary high explosive device in such a delicate, enclosed environment.

Mdemon · 8th November 2007, 17:18

Well, here's a thing.

I didn't take any anti-inflammatories this morning, so it should have been worse. However, I soaked both ears in the alcohol for well over five minutes this afternoon. I did this about two hours after my antibiotic drops.

It could be the drops working, it could be the alcohol, but I'm starting to get my top end frequencies back! (Rub your fingers together next to your ears to test). Hurrah! About 60% now. Still aches a little immediately after equalising but is definitely on the mend I think.

Just been to the supermarket to get some 6% white wine vinegar. Will add that to the mix.

8th November 2007, 06:47	#41 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,931	Re: My ear hurts. Best of luck! And I'm thinking, like you, about getting back in the water. I can't exactly get another infection! And it's outer ear, so how's that going to cause permanent damage? (Feel free to jump in here Steve!!!!) Is your hearing affected at all? I can't understand by my hearing is still not perfect when all the wax is gone. And when I equalise, I hear what sounds like lots of fine bubbles before the equalised "click" - how does that happen??! Domestos/trigene cocktail for me!* (That was a joke, before I start getting phone calls...) __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed.* "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
(Offline)

8th November 2007, 10:22	#42 (permalink)
PhilSiswick Phil Siswick, Tango Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 991	Re: My ear hurts. Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) Is your hearing affected at all? I can't understand by my hearing is still not perfect when all the wax is gone. I've had this a couple of times in the past - very painful, so you have my sympathy. Swim ear and a rigorous programme of cleaning my ears, plus only diving in cold water seems to have kept it away. I also had apparent hearing reduction while the infection was still around. I don't know if it was real, or whether I was just imagining it. I hypothesised that, as the inflammation had narrowed my outer ear canal, that might have caused it. Quote: And when I equalise, I hear what sounds like lots of fine bubbles before the equalised "click" - how does that happen??! I remember that too - same theory. Not particularly scientific, but it seemed to explain the symptoms. Quote: Domestos/trigene cocktail for me!* :-) Cheers, __________________ Phil (WSKD 0001) I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007 The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure thing boat never gets far from shore. Charles A. Lindbergh www.hugsac.org.uk
(Offline)

8th November 2007, 11:11	#43 (permalink)
Ant Slegg Still Learning.... Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Posts: 167	Re: My ear hurts. There was some discussion on Rebreather World some time ago with respect to the need to do post dive ear equalisation http://www.rebreatherworld.com/dive-...=ear+infection __________________ Ant' S Learning to dive since 1990...
(Offline)

8th November 2007, 11:39	#44 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,931	Re: My ear hurts. I equalise a lot post-dive so O2 squeeze isn't the cause. Late equalising in mucky water may be though. Does anyone pre-treat for this? Lots of people are drying ears afterwards but is there any thought on filling your ears with olive oil or alcohol/vinegar before? And do you use the alcohol/vinegar treatment against symptoms or just to prevent them? I'm asking since I just bought a bucket of Isopropyl alcohol from the chemist... __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
(Offline)

8th November 2007, 12:09	#45 (permalink)
PhilSiswick Phil Siswick, Tango Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 991	Re: My ear hurts. Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) I equalise a lot post-dive so O2 squeeze isn't the cause. Late equalising in mucky water may be though. Does anyone pre-treat for this? Lots of people are drying ears afterwards but is there any thought on filling your ears with olive oil or alcohol/vinegar before? And do you use the alcohol/vinegar treatment against symptoms or just to prevent them? I'm asking since I just bought a bucket of Isopropyl alcohol from the chemist... I clean my ears with a cotton bud lightly soaked in baby oil regularly, though not necessarily as a pre-treatment (i.e not immediately before a dive, generally once a week or so). I've never bothered with pre-treatment as such - I did use Swim Ear after every dive for a while, but gave up some years ago. Now I use it, or one of the OTC ear infection remedies, together with the baby oil/cotton bud cleaning if I get a twinge of an infection after diving. Do you know, my ear hurts just typing this..... Cheers, __________________ Phil (WSKD 0001) I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007 The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure thing boat never gets far from shore. Charles A. Lindbergh www.hugsac.org.uk
(Offline)

8th November 2007, 12:28	#46 (permalink)
CeeBee Found pills and ate them. Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Liverpool Posts: 1,019	Re: My ear hurts. Quote: (Originally Posted by PhilSiswick) Do you know, my ear hurts just typing this..... A tip, Phil...use your fingers. Much less painful. xC __________________ "In Ceebs We Trust. All others pay cash." Denz 1973-2007 King of the One-Liners www.justgiving.com/markginsberg1
(Offline)

8th November 2007, 13:15	#47 (permalink)
PhilSiswick Phil Siswick, Tango Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 991	Re: My ear hurts. Quote: (Originally Posted by CeeBee) A tip, Phil...use your fingers. Much less painful. xC Good advice, Chris. However, the alternative was continuing to bang my head on the desk. It's not a good day... Cheers, Phil __________________ Phil (WSKD 0001) I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007 The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure thing boat never gets far from shore. Charles A. Lindbergh www.hugsac.org.uk
(Offline)

8th November 2007, 13:48	#48 (permalink)
jdicediver Wreck Trained n Dangerous Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 261	Re: My ear hurts. Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) Best of luck! And I'm thinking, like you, about getting back in the water. I can't exactly get another infection! And it's outer ear, so how's that going to cause permanent damage? (Feel free to jump in here Steve!!!!) Is your hearing affected at all? I can't understand by my hearing is still not perfect when all the wax is gone. And when I equalise, I hear what sounds like lots of fine bubbles before the equalised "click" - how does that happen??! Domestos/trigene cocktail for me!* (*That was a joke, before I start getting phone calls...) I have heard that yes, an outer ear infection (otitis externa) that is not cleared up promptly can affect your hearing permanently. It can also substantially affect one's short term sanity. My hearing, also, is not up to par yet, with the ear wax (Cerumen) necessary and advantageous to help prevent infection. So don't clean it out too often. Inflamation of the canal does affect hearing, as well do the liquids that cause the bubbles and clicking prior to equalisation. I initially received my ear infection (both this year and last) from possibly THE coldest lake in Alberta, and water temp apparently has nothing to do with the Mink-like reproduction patterns of the nasty moisture borne bugs that can remain in dormancy for a time even in sterile water. I finally have an appointment with an ENT, and hopefully I can put this irritating infection/dermatological annoyance to death for once and for all. You can bet when I speak with him this time, I will ask ALL the questions that need to be asked, as well as a complete UNDERSTANDABLE explanation for all the cause and effects present. After all, I AM the one paying him to eat, so it is time these GP's stopped pretending we are all DP's and tell us what is really happening during a visit. As I stated earlier, get to a SPECIALIST, then and only then do you have even the slightest chance of taking care of the issue. Most GP's I have been to over the past two years for this same issue can't even spell otitis externa, let alone pronounce it or remotely treat it correctly. <present thread participants excepted> __________________ Regards; "Some people shouldn't dive...others shouldn't even get wet".
(Offline)

8th November 2007, 13:57	#49 (permalink)
jdicediver Wreck Trained n Dangerous Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 261	Re: My ear hurts. Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) I equalise a lot post-dive so O2 squeeze isn't the cause. Late equalising in mucky water may be though. Does anyone pre-treat for this? Lots of people are drying ears afterwards but is there any thought on filling your ears with olive oil or alcohol/vinegar before? And do you use the alcohol/vinegar treatment against symptoms or just to prevent them? I'm asking since I just bought a bucket of Isopropyl alcohol from the chemist... For further reference, you probably shouldn't have seen a chemist...in my esteemed and multiply exposed experience possibly only an explosives expert will be sufficiently trained, and effective enough to cure these symptoms. Careful though, there are numerous concerns to be aware of when using an incendiary high explosive device in such a delicate, enclosed environment. __________________ Regards; "Some people shouldn't dive...others shouldn't even get wet".
(Offline)

8th November 2007, 17:18	#50 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,931	Re: My ear hurts. Well, here's a thing. I didn't take any anti-inflammatories this morning, so it should have been worse. However, I soaked both ears in the alcohol for well over five minutes this afternoon. I did this about two hours after my antibiotic drops. It could be the drops working, it could be the alcohol, but I'm starting to get my top end frequencies back! (Rub your fingers together next to your ears to test). Hurrah! About 60% now. Still aches a little immediately after equalising but is definitely on the mend I think. Just been to the supermarket to get some 6% white wine vinegar. Will add that to the mix. __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode