Earplug or other device

[hcknudsen]

Hi there.
I´m looking for a serious discussion on the possibilities of diving with a device inserted in the ear, my main goal is not getting water on the eardrum.
Devices could be earplugs or anything else, even a cup covering the entire ear.
any suggestions are welcome, so throw in some experiences and thoughts please.



That was the short story, here are the facts around my problems.

Sometime last year I noticed a tear in my eardrum, air was leaking out when I was equalizing, since then I´ve been troubled with the problem, had a few infections and been stranded on land for weeks at a time, last time I went 8weeks without diving (used earplug when showering) and the eardrum seemed to have healed, it however tore on the second dive session.
The tearing is not painful, actually there is very little pain affiliated with the problem, and no loss of hearing that I´ve noticed.
Since I don´t know if the problem will ever get better, I might as well start looking at alternatives or do as my earspesialist say, find a new hobby.
He also said that operating on the eardrum would be foolish, since the chance of doing more damage always was present.

Edit : making the suggestions in red font, easier to scan the suggestions for someone browsing through

hc

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by hcknudsen

Hi there.
I´m looking for a serious discussion on the possibilities of diving with a device inserted in the ear, my main goal is not getting water on the eardrum.
Devices could be earplugs or anything else, even a cup covering the entire ear.
any suggestions are welcome, so throw in some experiences and thoughts please.



That was the short story, here are the facts around my problems.

Sometime last year I noticed a tear in my eardrum, air was leaking out when I was equalizing, since then I´ve been troubled with the problem, had a few infections and been stranded on land for weeks at a time, last time I went 8weeks without diving (used earplug when showering) and the eardrum seemed to have healed, it however tore on the second dive session.
The tearing is not painful, actually there is very little pain affiliated with the problem, and no loss of hearing that I´ve noticed.
Since I don´t know if the problem will ever get better, I might as well start looking at alternatives or do as my earspesialist say, find a new hobby.
He also said that operating on the eardrum would be foolish, since the chance of doing more damage always was present.



hc

have u heard of proplugs? they might help you.

[samdive]

proplugs come in two varieties - vented and unvented

You can't dive in the unvented ones as they do not allow you to equalise the space between the plug and the ear - so you get a squeeze.

The vented ones have helped some people with equalisation difficulties as they, allegedly, deliver the water to the eardrum surface in a more balanced, gentler way - but the ear still gets wet so it doesn't help with this problem

the only option I think you have is to try a "Pro-ear" mask - these are huge, cumbersome and I could never get a seal around my ears (you'd need to shave) - but I do know a British freediver who uses one.

IST Pro Ear Mask at SwimOutlet.com

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by samdive

the only option I think you have is to try a "Pro-ear" mask - these are huge, cumbersome and I could never get a seal around my ears (you'd need to shave) - but I do know a British freediver who uses one.

IST Pro Ear Mask at SwimOutlet.com

oh i have seen those
we had a scuba diver wearing one and it just reminded me of ear muffs and he still got an ear infection not laughing at the ear infection but at the muffs

[turtle]

hey,

proplugs will still get your ears wet when you dive. If you are worried about water infections, try filling your ear with mineral water/tap water then put the proplug in before your session. Also be sure to size the proplugs carefully, otherwise they're useless.

i think the ear muff/mask things are the only device that will actually keep your ears dry. there was one uk freediver (paul w?) who used to dive with them i think.

f

[hcknudsen]

I´ve been thinking about getting some molded earplugs, making a channel in them and connecting it to a tube of required length, the tube would have an internal measurement of no more than 1mm, it would be able to let the pressure of the water push the air further into the tube compressing the air between the plug and the eardrum, the little diameter of the tubing would be to narrow for the air to escape (I think), hence directing the right pressure, but not letting the water travel past nor fare enough for it to enter.
This would be eliminating the risk of suddenly getting wrong pressure between the plug and the eardrum which is the normal no go part with earplugs.

Have tried the proplugs, but it ended up as a stressful dive, but then again I put them inn as I left the house, so my ears where fed up with them once i finally got in the water , will probably give them another go

thanks for feed-back so fare

hc