How to Avoid the Most Common Ear-Related Dive Injuries

Part of what makes diving so compelling is that it’s not always easy. In general we all agree that the benefits far outweigh the risks, but it’s important to recognize that some injuries do occur more often than we’d like. Ear injuries are chief among these; in fact, they represent the single most common type of injury that divers face. The good news is that while common, ear injuries are rarely serious, and they’re easy to prevent. Learn to recognize the most common ear injuries and how to prevent them before they happen to you.

Barotrauma

Barotraumas are injuries caused by pressure differentials. In diving, the most notable pressure ­differentials are between the surrounding water and the air in divers’ middle ears (the spaces just inside the eardrums). Failing to equalize properly, diving with congestion and ascending or descending too rapidly can lead to compression or expansion of the air in the middle ears. The difference in pressure between this air and the water in the ear canal (on the outside of the ­eardrum) can push the eardrum beyond its safe limits — even to its breaking point.

Common symptoms of barotrauma include a sensation of fluid or pressure in the ear, ­diminished hearing and pain. Most cases of barotrauma resolve with little or no intervention in a matter of days or weeks, but in extreme situations, such as when a diver experiencing equalization difficulty continues to descend without equalizing, the eardrum can rupture, which can allow incursion of water into the middle ear. This can lead to vertigo, significant pain and a high risk of infection.

After experiencing a barotrauma, avoid diving until you have recovered completely. If the symptoms don’t subside in a few days, or you experience serious pain or protracted hearing loss, have a physician examine your ears for a perforated eardrum or other serious condition. Ear barotrauma can be avoided by never diving while congested, equalizing early and often, and aborting a dive if ­equalization is impossible.

Swimmer’s Ear

Otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear, is an infection of the ear canal that’s fairly common in swimmers and divers. It can cause inflammation and partial closure of the ear canal, and touching the outer ear may cause pain. The adage about an ounce of prevention rings true with this condition: Your ears retain moisture from submersion, and that moisture encourages bacteria growth that can lead to infection. There are a variety of ear drops you can use (homemade, over-the-counter and prescription) to prevent swimmer’s ear, but the key is to use them before you begin to experience symptoms. If an infection does develop, you should see a physician to determine the best course of action to reduce the inflammation, fight the infection and restore ear health. Keep your ears clean.

Diving can be tough on our ears, especially when we dive frequently — or repeatedly in a short period. Ear injuries are more often inconveniences than serious injuries, but they can affect both your ability to continue diving and your hearing, so they should always be taken seriously.

Stop the Swabs!

Understanding the importance of clean ears, some divers are inclined to use cotton-tipped swabs. Unfortunately, however, this often pushes wax deeper into the ear, irritating the ear canal and increasing the risk of infection.

Instead, try simply rinsing the ear with clean fresh water after ­diving. If you’re diving frequently or tend to get swimmer’s ear, you can rinse your ears with a mixture of half white vinegar and half rubbing alcohol after a day of diving. In theory, this mixture dries the ear and inhibits bacterial growth. If you’re having a really difficult time getting your ears dry, try using a hair dryer to gently blow warm air into your ear canals.