Can You Scuba Dive With Tubes In Your Ears?

If you suffer from repetitive middle ear infections you may undergo surgery to have small ventilation tubes inserted through the eardrum. These enable temporary drainage from the middle ear until the Eustachian tubes get back to normal.

The tubes usually fall out by themselves or will be medically removed. And the small incision normally heals shortly afterwards. The question you need answering if you want to participate in underwater activities is can you scuba dive with tubes in your ears? Find out more here…

Dive Fitness

Diving isn’t recommended whilst the tubes are in place due to the potential risk of water getting into the middle ear – resulting in infection and vertigo. After the ventilation tubes have been removed there’s a healing time of about six weeks, and complete recovery needs to be confirmed by a doctor.

If you do dive with tubes in your ears the water pressure and flow of water through the tubes will worsen any infection, and in some cases can cause deafness. Scuba diving ear pain such as buzzing and roaring and a fluid discharge from the ear canal are all real worst-case scenarios.

Scarring of the Eustachian tubes after surgery is a possibility – which can make ear equalisation during diving an issue. Loss of Eustachian tube function can also cause problems, but these can be addressed with scuba diving earplugs and other ear protection products.

Protective Solutions

Preventing ear infections involves taking simple precautionary measures before and after each dive. Look at a range of pain-averting ways here…

Popping your ears – this is a generally safe way to clear your ears and can be done by swallowing as muscles automatically work to open the Eustachian tubes. Yawning, nasal decongestants, and nasal steroids can also help to unclog ears by reducing any inflammation in the nasal passages and helping the air to move freely through the Eustachian tubes, equalising ear pressure.

Ear cleaning – a homemade remedy of alcohol and vinegar will ensure your ears are sanitised, and drying effects counteracted. Alternatively, you can use a few drops of natural oils before and after the dive to prevent any wax build-up. An occasional wash with saline water can be a help, but overuse can cause problems with ear equalising.

Ear drops – these are a gentle way to soothe sensitive ears as you simply squeeze a few drops into the ears after you get out of the water. This dries any moisture within the ear canal and helps to condition the lining of the ear to prevent further irritation.

Ear dryer – this device looks like an ear thermometer and is used in basically the same way. Unfolded, the gadget can dry each ear within a minute and is ideal for use after diving. The set comes with four colour-coded washable earpieces, and can easily be stored in a small compartment.

Scuba diver earplugs – keeping water out of the ears is the primary function of scuba dive earplugs. You’ll need to get the vented kind as these won’t pop out or get wedged in the ear canal. The vents allow pressurisation without the intake of water. The soft, polymer plugs form a tight seal and have a very small vent running through to allow equalisation of the ear.

Advanced scuba earplugs are recommended by doctors and are safe as they make the scuba diving ear pressure process easy. You must wear the right size – they’re available in youth /adult options in small, medium, large, and extra-large ranges.

Scuba hood – additional protection by covering your head and ears with a scuba hood is also recommended. They come in a range of sizes and thicknesses to suit all types of diving. Choose from a lightweight beanie style that covers your head only – leaving the neck and shoulders free or one that’s integrated into a vest providing extra insulation for the upper body.

Neoprene hoods are available for stubborn ear troubles and deeper water dives.

Mask with ear covers – offering soft silicone ear covers that connect the ambient pressure inside the mask with the ambient pressure in the ear canal. This is done by the use of one-way valve tubes that let the air flow freely between the two areas without letting any water in.

Each ear pocket creates a tight seal with the feathered edged skirt around the ears. With extra-wide mask straps and swivel buckles, the masks are designed to fit perfectly – providing coverage for your ears and ear pressure relief.

Scuba Dive with the Pros

Scuba diving in Cancun with Koox professional divers will allow you to have an underwater adventure you’ll never forget – ear problems included. Your safety is always paramount and you’ll be provided with all the gear you need, a guide, and transportation. You’ll even be given a GoPro camera to record and save all of your memories!