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Scuba diving: tips for ear pain

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Scuba diving: disorders caused by sudden changes in pressure (barotrauma)

The presence of even minor inflammation of the upper respiratory tract in predisposed individuals can cause significant problems for scuba diving enthusiasts.


The Eustachian tube, which is responsible for exchanging air within the middle ear by balancing the pressure inside the ear with the pressure outside, is frequently dysfunctional in these patients.
They also often have allergic and infectious diseases of the nose or anatomical defects (deviated septum or hypertrophy of the turbinates).

middle ear

In these individuals, the Eustachian tube may not be able to equalize pressure, especially in the event of sudden changes such as those that occur during diving (increase in external pressure).
This leads to a barotraumatic disorder of the middle ear calledserous otitis media,also known as otitis media with effusion, tubal catarrh, mucotympanum, or glue ear.
The symptomsare caused by the formation and stagnation of mucous fluid inside the middle ear.
The patient therefore experiences conductive hearing loss(partial hearing loss), dizziness, and ear pain (otodynia).

 


ADVICE All athletes who, while diving, have experienced problems of this kind or even a simple episode of ear pain should:

  • undergo an examination by an ENT specialist or a doctor specializing in underwater medicine.
  • Perform nasal rinses the day before diving.
  • Perform preventive aerosol therapy cycles with corticosteroids and mucolyticsadministered nasally for 7-8 days before each dive.
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Please note:

In the event of Eustachian tube dysfunction, the eardrum is able to withstand pressure differences that do not exceed a certain value. If this value is exceeded, the membrane ruptures, cold water suddenly floods the middle ear, and violent vertigo occurs, which is extremely dangerous when underwater.

 

source:otorinolaringoiatria.org

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