Ear problems in diving and how to prevent them

Ear problems are the most common in diving, and most of them are fully preventable with the correct technique.

Barotrauma, or ear-pressure injury

It happens when you do not equalize enough during descent, which leads to pain and can reach a ruptured eardrum in severe cases.

Equalization techniques

Valsalva maneuver
Close your nose with your hand and blow gently until you feel the ears open. This is the most used, but it does not suit everyone.

Toynbee maneuver
Swallow while gently closing the nose to equalize the ear more softly.

Frenzel maneuver
A more advanced technique that needs training, but it is the most efficient, especially at greater depths.

When to stop descending

• If you feel ear pain
• If you cannot equalize after several attempts
• If you hear a painful popping sound in the ear

Preventing outer-ear infection

• Use ear-drying drops after every dive
• Do not put objects into the ear canal to clean it
• If you have congestion, see a doctor before diving

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The ear is fragile and precious, so take care of it and do not finish any dive while you feel real ear pain.