6 replies to this topic

[stubbysquid]

i have a question about blowing your ears. how many times can you blow your ear drum or perforate it before you should give up diving.does anyone know the answer? is there a limit?i know you will loose some hearing but how many times can this happen to a diver before there would be a significant loss of hearing? i want to know from a medical stand point and from a personal standpoint

[Diverbrian]

i have a question about blowing your ears. how many times can you blow your ear drum or perforate it before you should give up diving.does anyone know the answer? is there a limit?i know you will loose some hearing but how many times can this happen to a diver before there would be a significant loss of hearing? i want to know from a medical stand point and from a personal standpoint

I have never personally heard of a "carved in stone" limit. I think that it has to do with the severity more so than the number of times. I do that a certain about of scar tissue builds up when and eardrum heals and that is what makes our hearing less sensitive after a perforated eardrum.

Like many conditions, this is more than likely decided on a case by case basis. I know of several people who have had eardrum, been forced to stay away from diving until healed, and went with life and dove immediately when the Dr. released them to do so.

[Walter]

This is so easy to avoid, it shouldn't be an issue. If you feel any pain, stop and ascend.

I do know one guy (was in the 1st instructor course in 1959, but was actually teaching before that) who has blown his ear drum many many times. He still dives regularly.

[No Pressure]

I agree with Diverbrian. It is the severity, not the number of injuries that counts. The issue is if your eardrum is not healed (a hole still there) and you go diving. Cold water in the inner ear will make you incredibly disoriented, with vertigo, vomiting, and other really bad reactions. Once the eardrum is healed, the only issue is the effect on hearing loss. An ENT physician can look in your ear and tell if it is healed, as well as signs of infection, etc. You can get a hearing test if you really want to track your progress.

[fbp]

I note that you're from the Seattle Area, we had a Diving Ear Doctor come to our Club meeting, Moss Bay, and if you haven't see one, would strongly suggest it...
by your post of not being able to dive right now, I'll assume you have found a doc.. if not, let me know and I'll try to locate him..
FYI, the meeting was great in that he did ear exams and show how much pressure you can exert to clear ears.. blew up a balloon of sorts... heheh.. also worth noting is that the ear gets a "Cold Water" bump? in it.. like a Callouse or something like it... from the cold water diving... a trade mark of cold water diving...
Anyway, if you don't have it resolved, let me know...

See ya in the water eh??
Alki? ..heheh..you need to get out more...

[stubbysquid]

I note that you're from the Seattle Area, we had a Diving Ear Doctor come to our Club meeting, Moss Bay, and if you haven't see one, would strongly suggest it...
by your post of not being able to dive right now, I'll assume you have found a doc.. if not, let me know and I'll try to locate him..
FYI, the meeting was great in that he did ear exams and show how much pressure you can exert to clear ears.. blew up a balloon of sorts... heheh.. also worth noting is that the ear gets a "Cold Water" bump? in it.. like a Callouse or something like it... from the cold water diving... a trade mark of cold water diving...
Anyway, if you don't have it resolved, let me know...

See ya in the water eh??
Alki? ..heheh..you need to get out more...

i have now seen a doctor for a second visit he said my ear looks good but should see an ent just to be sure.i know the doctor your talking about ive seen him the first time i blew my eardrum.this time it was a perferation.his name is edmond kay and your right he is really good.thanks for the response to my question.

[No Pressure]

HI Stubbysquid. Your doctor was right. Your ear does look good...At least the bottom half of it.