Ears and high PPO2

buhlmann · 5th June 2006, 23:25

Whenever I dive with high PPO2 I get a full feeling in the ears the next day. This occurs whether I dive O/C or CCR and it usually disappears after a couple of days. I had always assumed I had a slight intolerance to oxygen and just accepted that this is how it would be for me if I wanted to do this technical diving stuff.
However my last CCR dive was different, the dive was uneventfull but a large swell was running making deco a tad uncomfortable, afterwards I quickly washed my gear and went to sleep (I work night shift) when I woke up I had completely blocked ears and could not even equalise them, they were very painful. I assumed that within a day or 2 they would be better again so I put off going to the doctor. When they did not resolve within 4 days I went to the doctor who prescribed quartizone. This eased the problem and reduced the swelling in my middle ear but by now an infection had set in. The doctor put me on a course of antibiotics.
I did some research on the net and found mention of a little known disorder called "middle ear oxygen absorbtion syndrome", I found an article at http://www.crazy-rb-diver.com/html/o...your_ears.html and it seemed to explain what happens to me. I have yet to do another dive and test this remedy.
I was wondering if anyone else has suffered from this and if so how they deal with it.

Laurie

01RMB · 6th June 2006, 00:14

This is quite a common problem with rebreathers. The middle ear builds up with high levels of O2 which will be slowly absorbed by your body after the dive. Nitrogen will replace the absorbed O2 but slowly. If the middle ear can't equalise through the Eustachian tubes then you will get a middle ear squeeze and fluid forced into the ear to compensate for the pressure differential.

To avoid problems you need to equalise regularly after a rebreather dive to compensate for the absorption of the oxygen (and pressure differential) in your middle ear. This needs to be done regularly since the slow absorption of oxygen and the increasing pressure differential won't generally be noticed.

If you go to bed straight after a dive you won't be able to equalise. This can be a big problem on live aboards. You will need to equalise quite regularly and make sure your Eustachian tubes are not blocked such as when you have a cold.

Short answer is equalize often even after a dive.

MikeH · 6th June 2006, 01:40

Quote: (Originally Posted by buhlmann)

I did some research on the net and found mention of a little known disorder called "middle ear oxygen absorbtion syndrome", I found an article at http://www.crazy-rb-diver.com/html/o...your_ears.html and it seemed to explain what happens to me. I have yet to do another dive and test this remedy.

Actually, this is a problem that is quite well known amongst rebreather divers, and should have been covered during your rebreather training. It has been covered in most of the texts/training manuals I have read. I have not had an issue with this, as I am normally up for at least 3-4 hours after ending my last dive. I have heard of it happening to a few people that go to bed within an hour or two of their last dive.

Mike

diverrob · 6th June 2006, 03:41

Yes I concur it is quiet common. We call it O2 ears and explain to all of our students what to expect. During my first time training on a O2 Rebreather I woke up quite disturbed with the fact that I could not hear anything as well as having severe pain in both of my ears. I was able to equalize which was even more painful and from then on I try to make a point of clearing my ears before I sleep as well as every time I wake during the night whether I need to or not.

Rob

Explorer · 6th June 2006, 04:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverrob)

Yes I concur it is quiet common. We call it O2 ears and explain to all of our students what to expect. During my first time training on a O2 Rebreather I woke up quite disturbed with the fact that I could not hear anything as well as having severe pain in both of my ears. I was able to equalize which was even more painful and from then on I try to make a point of clearing my ears before I sleep as well as every time I wake during the night whether I need to or not.
Rob

You got that right Rob. The first time I felt 'O2 ears', I was a weird feeling. If I woke up during the night, I would continue to equalize. Just something to work out.

***Decodiver*** · 6th June 2006, 09:22

As said this is a common ailment from diving CCR.

On the subject of equalising, I do so about 20 times everz daz even when not diving.

The ears, like muscles, need regular workouts too.

Cheers,

Dave Cooper.

Philippe GERIN · 6th June 2006, 15:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by buhlmann)

Whenever I dive with high PPO2 I get a full feeling in the ears the next day.

When they did not resolve within 4 days I went to the doctor who prescribed quartizone. This eased the problem and reduced the swelling in my middle ear but by now an infection had set in. The doctor put me on a course of antibiotics.

a known disorder called "middle ear oxygen absorbtion syndrome" and it seemed to explain what happens to me.
I was wondering if anyone else has suffered from this and if so how they deal with it.
Laurie

Laurie,
As the other have said: this is quite common. I too get that after O/C deco on O2 or CCR.
A few things that I do that helped me resolve that issue:
1) Stay up for a few hours after the dives - even a night dive - and equalise often and easy.
2) Right after each dive in both fresh and sea water, I wash my ears with a solution of Alcohol 70° (10%) /vinegar (10%)/H2O (80%), that way if the conduit is still swelling if I could not equalise enough, then the ear conduit is not the best media for bugs to develop.
3) Sleep on my back without any pillow as opposed to sleeping on my side with one ear deep in the pillow which wouldn't be ventilated naturally creating the right atmosphere for the bugs to develop (with the sweat and all).
4) As often as possible I dive @ SP=1. I finish all mandatory deco for the dive and add 10 to 15 mn @ SP=0.2-0.3 while "yawning" as often as possible to try to get my eutashian tube "ventilated" as much as possible.

This helped me reduce the symptoms even though I still get it to a lower degree after multi-day/mutli-dive trips.
I hope this helps you too.

Best
Philippe

mikedive · 7th June 2006, 00:19

Hey Laurie,

I've the same problem like the other guys and the same solution, equalize often after the dive.
Didn't your CCR instructor explain for you on the training this problem with high PO2 on CCR dives??? This problem was suppose to be covered on your training.
Cheers,

**Gill Envy** · 7th June 2006, 00:58

Laurie, this has come up quite a bit lately on the board and been happening to me as well. Regular equalization on descent and maintaining adequite loop volume on the dive and regular equalization after the dive definitely has helped the overall tendency to the "muzzy feeling" in the ears...which lasts for days.
And i don't remember this being covered during training either, but then again it's a lot of information and sometimes i just don't remember what is being said until i see it's relevance.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 7th June 2006, 01:11

It's in the Bozanic book, page 242, under "Post-Dive Barotrauma."

5th June 2006, 23:25	#1 (permalink)
buhlmann New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 6	Ears and high PPO2 Whenever I dive with high PPO2 I get a full feeling in the ears the next day. This occurs whether I dive O/C or CCR and it usually disappears after a couple of days. I had always assumed I had a slight intolerance to oxygen and just accepted that this is how it would be for me if I wanted to do this technical diving stuff. However my last CCR dive was different, the dive was uneventfull but a large swell was running making deco a tad uncomfortable, afterwards I quickly washed my gear and went to sleep (I work night shift) when I woke up I had completely blocked ears and could not even equalise them, they were very painful. I assumed that within a day or 2 they would be better again so I put off going to the doctor. When they did not resolve within 4 days I went to the doctor who prescribed quartizone. This eased the problem and reduced the swelling in my middle ear but by now an infection had set in. The doctor put me on a course of antibiotics. I did some research on the net and found mention of a little known disorder called "middle ear oxygen absorbtion syndrome", I found an article at http://www.crazy-rb-diver.com/html/o...your_ears.html and it seemed to explain what happens to me. I have yet to do another dive and test this remedy. I was wondering if anyone else has suffered from this and if so how they deal with it. Laurie
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6th June 2006, 00:14	#2 (permalink)
01RMB Evolving Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 190	Re: Ears and high PPO2 This is quite a common problem with rebreathers. The middle ear builds up with high levels of O2 which will be slowly absorbed by your body after the dive. Nitrogen will replace the absorbed O2 but slowly. If the middle ear can't equalise through the Eustachian tubes then you will get a middle ear squeeze and fluid forced into the ear to compensate for the pressure differential. To avoid problems you need to equalise regularly after a rebreather dive to compensate for the absorption of the oxygen (and pressure differential) in your middle ear. This needs to be done regularly since the slow absorption of oxygen and the increasing pressure differential won't generally be noticed. If you go to bed straight after a dive you won't be able to equalise. This can be a big problem on live aboards. You will need to equalise quite regularly and make sure your Eustachian tubes are not blocked such as when you have a cold. Short answer is equalize often even after a dive. __________________ Cheers Rod
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6th June 2006, 01:40	#3 (permalink)
MikeH Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 178	Re: Ears and high PPO2 Quote: (Originally Posted by buhlmann) I did some research on the net and found mention of a little known disorder called "middle ear oxygen absorbtion syndrome", I found an article at http://www.crazy-rb-diver.com/html/o...your_ears.html and it seemed to explain what happens to me. I have yet to do another dive and test this remedy. Actually, this is a problem that is quite well known amongst rebreather divers, and should have been covered during your rebreather training. It has been covered in most of the texts/training manuals I have read. I have not had an issue with this, as I am normally up for at least 3-4 hours after ending my last dive. I have heard of it happening to a few people that go to bed within an hour or two of their last dive. Mike
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6th June 2006, 03:41	#4 (permalink)
diverrob The Evolution of Diving Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other SCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria BC Canada Posts: 336	Re: Ears and high PPO2 Yes I concur it is quiet common. We call it O2 ears and explain to all of our students what to expect. During my first time training on a O2 Rebreather I woke up quite disturbed with the fact that I could not hear anything as well as having severe pain in both of my ears. I was able to equalize which was even more painful and from then on I try to make a point of clearing my ears before I sleep as well as every time I wake during the night whether I need to or not. Rob
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6th June 2006, 04:56	#5 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 773	Re: Ears and high PPO2 Quote: (Originally Posted by diverrob) Yes I concur it is quiet common. We call it O2 ears and explain to all of our students what to expect. During my first time training on a O2 Rebreather I woke up quite disturbed with the fact that I could not hear anything as well as having severe pain in both of my ears. I was able to equalize which was even more painful and from then on I try to make a point of clearing my ears before I sleep as well as every time I wake during the night whether I need to or not. Rob You got that right Rob. The first time I felt 'O2 ears', I was a weird feeling. If I woke up during the night, I would continue to equalize. Just something to work out. __________________ 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves took turns doing handstands on the carpet
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6th June 2006, 09:22	#6 (permalink)
*Decodiver* Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneva Posts: 2,181	Re: Ears and high PPO2 As said this is a common ailment from diving CCR. On the subject of equalising, I do so about 20 times everz daz even when not diving. The ears, like muscles, need regular workouts too. Cheers, Dave Cooper. __________________ CCR/OC Trimix Instructor Trainer CCR Training to Mixed Gas in Switzerland, France, UK & Germany on Megalodon/COPIS-Megalodon/KISS/Sport KISS/Ouroboros/rEvo/Inspiration/Evolution/Sentinel www.zerogravitydiving.com Rebreather World Terms & Conditions
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6th June 2006, 15:23	#7 (permalink)
Philippe GERIN ccr apprentice Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Strasbourg, France Posts: 636	Re: Ears and high PPO2 Quote: (Originally Posted by buhlmann) Whenever I dive with high PPO2 I get a full feeling in the ears the next day. When they did not resolve within 4 days I went to the doctor who prescribed quartizone. This eased the problem and reduced the swelling in my middle ear but by now an infection had set in. The doctor put me on a course of antibiotics. a known disorder called "middle ear oxygen absorbtion syndrome" and it seemed to explain what happens to me. I was wondering if anyone else has suffered from this and if so how they deal with it. Laurie Laurie, As the other have said: this is quite common. I too get that after O/C deco on O2 or CCR. A few things that I do that helped me resolve that issue: 1) Stay up for a few hours after the dives - even a night dive - and equalise often and easy. 2) Right after each dive in both fresh and sea water, I wash my ears with a solution of Alcohol 70° (10%) /vinegar (10%)/H2O (80%), that way if the conduit is still swelling if I could not equalise enough, then the ear conduit is not the best media for bugs to develop. 3) Sleep on my back without any pillow as opposed to sleeping on my side with one ear deep in the pillow which wouldn't be ventilated naturally creating the right atmosphere for the bugs to develop (with the sweat and all). 4) As often as possible I dive @ SP=1. I finish all mandatory deco for the dive and add 10 to 15 mn @ SP=0.2-0.3 while "yawning" as often as possible to try to get my eutashian tube "ventilated" as much as possible. This helped me reduce the symptoms even though I still get it to a lower degree after multi-day/mutli-dive trips. I hope this helps you too. Best Philippe
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7th June 2006, 00:19	#8 (permalink)
mikedive Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other CCR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Brazil, Texas and Mexico Posts: 330	Re: Ears and high PPO2 Hey Laurie, I've the same problem like the other guys and the same solution, equalize often after the dive. Didn't your CCR instructor explain for you on the training this problem with high PO2 on CCR dives??? This problem was suppose to be covered on your training. Cheers, __________________ Michael Netto - www.rebreatherclubedobrasil.com.br ISC Megalodon CCR instructor and dealer IANTD CCR Trimix and CCR Cave instructor IANTD Dive Rite O2ptima instructor
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7th June 2006, 00:58	#9 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,313	Re: Ears and high PPO2 Laurie, this has come up quite a bit lately on the board and been happening to me as well. Regular equalization on descent and maintaining adequite loop volume on the dive and regular equalization after the dive definitely has helped the overall tendency to the "muzzy feeling" in the ears...which lasts for days. And i don't remember this being covered during training either, but then again it's a lot of information and sometimes i just don't remember what is being said until i see it's relevance. __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
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7th June 2006, 01:11	#10 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,130	Re: Ears and high PPO2 It's in the Bozanic book, page 242, under "Post-Dive Barotrauma." __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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