A lot of scuba divers will experience the annoyance of blocked ears after diving. The feeling of water trapped in your ear can be annoying is more than likely a small blockage in your outer ear that is not letting the water drain out or air properly. So, how to get rid of blocked ears after diving?
There are a number of ways to unblock ears after scuba diving. These include swallowing, lying on your side, chewing gum that can help, or using eardrops. If you experience severe pain ear or do not unblock after a day or so you may need to see a doctor in order to get relief.
In today’s post, we will go through how to get rid of blocked ears after diving, so let’s get started!
Read more on common questions asked by divers
How To Get Rid Of Blocked Ears After Diving?
Scuba divers know all too well the feeling of having blocked ears after diving. It can be uncomfortable and even painful at times. There are a number of techniques to help unblock your ears. These are as follows.
- Swallowing – This helps to open the eustachian tubes that are connected to the throat. Therefore allows a small air bubble to move from the nose and into the ear.
- Chewing – This also helps to open the eustachian tubes. The same as swallowing does.
- Eardrops – There are a number of types of eardrops like vinegar, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. By putting a few drops into your ear they are designed to help unblock your ears.
- Lie On Your Side – You can lie on your side with the problem ear facing towards the ground. Simply you are letting gravity help water drain out of your ear.
Ultimately, if you have a blocked ear, it is likely that it will naturally pop on its own. These methods will help to unblock your ears faster.
However, if the pressure in your ear is severe or painful, you may need to see a doctor in order to get relief. They may need to perform a procedure called ear candling in order to remove the trapped air and relieve the pressure.
How Long Does It Take For Ears To Clear After Scuba Diving?
For most people, it takes a few hours for their ears to clear after scuba diving. However, if you have a more serious condition such as sinusitis or allergies, it may take longer for your ears to adjust.
If you still experience blocked ears after 24 hours, it may be worth seeing a doctor. They will be able to determine the cause of your condition and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Will My Ear Ever Pop?
If you have a blocked ear, it is likely that it will eventually pop on its own. However, if the problems persist you may need to see a doctor in order to get relief.
Why Should You Equalize Your Ears While?
Simply, when scuba diving and as you descend deeper, the surrounding pressure increases. This increase in pressure can cause the air in your middle ear to become trapped.
In order to equalize the pressure, your body will try to release this air by opening up the Eustachian tubes. However, sometimes these tubes do not open properly and the air becomes trapped, causing that blocked feeling. If you don’t equalize as you go deeper you will experience pain to damage your ears.
You can swallow, chew, or swim up a few meters and this will help open up the Eustachian tubes and allow the trapped air to escape.
Wrapping Up
Finally, there are ways to unblock ears after scuba diving. These include swallowing, lying on your side, chewing gum that can help, or using eardrops. If you experience severe pain ear or do not unblock after a day or so you may need to see a doctor in order to get relief.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on how to get rid of blocked ears after diving has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.