38 replies to this topic

[Laura]

Hello all,

I was wondering if a long history of diving can lead to hearing loss. I'm not talking about ruptures, infections, or anything sudden and/or acute. Rather, I'm wondering if years of diving, with the repeated ear clearing, cold water, pressure, etc could have any long-term consequences that we should be aware of.

Your input is appreciated.
Laura

[drbill]

What did you say? I can't hear you.

Yes, I think diving long-term affects hearing (at least anecdotally). Although I've been diving off-and-on for 42 years, my diving frequency has intensified the past five years and my hearing loss seems to have increased. Of course it's been a big help when my housemate asks me to take out the garbage!

This is not scientific since there are oter factors that need to be factored in. On my maternal side there is some history of deafness. My father has problems with hearing as well and he's never dived in his life.

At least my hearing loss seems somewhat restricted to certain frequency ranges. It would be difficult to give up the visual beauty of diving.

Dr. B.

[Diverbrian]

Interesting question. I run equipment at work where they measure my hearing loss every year.

Last year they told me to wait until dive season was done to have my results recorded because they were so far off. I think that the company is adding scuba to medical questionnaires because of the issues that they see on my physicals/hearing tests.

Edited by Diverbrian, 27 April 2004 - 10:09 AM.

[Diverlady]

Well if someone is interested in funding a test of this, then I'd gladly offer to dive everyday for the next 40 years!

Diverlady

[Walter]

Well if someone is interested in funding a test of this, then I'd gladly offer to dive everyday for the next 40 years!

I like the way you think. We'll need a large group for a successful test. I think our members would serve quite nicely. Now, who's good at writing grants?

[coppermaus]

I like the way you think.  We'll need a large group for a successful test.  I think our members would serve quite nicely.  Now, who's good at writing grants?

With my luck I'd be put in the control group.

[Walter]

With my luck I'd be put in the control group.

I've already thought of that, Darlin'.

The control group has to consist of non divers. People who have never dived. We recruit them from outside. Our members are the divers.

[coppermaus]

I've already thought of that, Darlin'.

The control group has to consist of non divers. People who have never dived. We recruit them from outside. Our members are the divers.

You think of everything, Walter!

[Walter]

I try, Darlin'.

[coppermaus]

I try, Darlin'.

Do you? I was thinking it's just second-nature.

[Coo's Toe]

What? What? Did you say something?

What? Make out the stash? Sew the long? What?

( I don't know if diving will affect my hearing long term any more than working with power tools and listening to loud music in the car could. But if it does, I'd say it's a trade off I'm definately willing to make. Hearing aids have gotten so small, that I wouldn't mind wearing one later in life if it means I'll be wearing it to watch all the diving videos I made in my younger years. And it could be really convenient to take the hearing aid out when my better half ( maybe some sweetie that I met here in the heyday of my youth ) starts asking me to take out the trash and mow the lawn )

[WreckWench]

Interesting question. I run equipment at work where they measure my hearing loss every year.

Last year they told me to wait until dive season was done to have my results recorded because they were so far off. I think that the company is adding scuba to medical questionnaires because of the issues that they see on my physicals/hearing tests.

Does your diving REALLY impact your hearing tests at work? Or do you have a chronic case of swimmer's ear???

[zendiver]

What? What? Did you say something?

What? Make out the stash? Sew the long? What?

( I don't know if diving will affect my hearing long term any more than working with power tools and listening to loud music in the car could. But if it does, I'd say it's a trade off I'm definately willing to make. Hearing aids have gotten so small, that I wouldn't mind wearing one later in life if it means I'll be wearing it to watch all the diving videos I made in my younger years. And it could be really convenient to take the hearing aid out when my better half ( maybe some sweetie that I met here in the heyday of my youth ) starts asking me to take out the trash and mow the lawn )

I'm with you on this one Coo's Toe. If loosing hearing is an after effect of my diving, then so be it. It is also a trade off I am willing to take.

-ZD

[triggerfish]

me too, you guys. half the surgeons i work with mumble so badly that i can't hear 'em anyway, so what would i miss? i hear the voices in my head just fine!

[No Pressure]

Trigger, Voices in your head? Is that why you do the things you do? What are they saying now?

I don't have any real, medically substantiated info on the subject, yet. So, I'll make up some BS answer.
The eardrum, outer, middle and inner ear areas were designed for land based operations, at ambient air pressure. In an environment of increased pressure, cold water, sinus congestion, "blowing to clear", etc.. I can imagine that the tissues of the ear canal and chambers might thicken in response to these stimuli. Another thought is that the innervation in that area gets downregulated (less responsive), much like the field artillery guy who says "I don't care what you play, as long as you play it LOUD!" Long term exposure to "noxious or physiologically stressful" conditions cause this body of ours to adapt. I can imagine that decreased hearing could well be an effect.
Is there a treatment or cure? I would suggest continue to dive, then learn to lip read.