All new divers face some ear equalization challenges on their first dives, but no worries! With a few handy tips, you’ll be good to go in no time! Just keep in mind that some divers find it easier to equalize than others. Even experienced divers can have sensitive ears, making it tricky to get it right. If you’re having trouble, just relax! Remember, it’s all part of the diving experience, and with practice, you’ll get the hang of it!
Let’s break down some basic dive physiology. Your middle ears are essentially air pockets sealed by the eardrum, connected to the outside world through the eustachian tubes that run to the back of your throat. As you descend, water pressure pushes the eardrum inward, compressing the air in your middle ear. To balance things out and restore that lost volume, you need to send some air into the middle ear through the eustachian tubes. This process is known as equalizing or “popping” your ears. If you skip this step, your ears can start to hurt while diving, and you risk damaging those delicate ear structures. But hey, I’m sure you already knew that!
• The most common way to equalize pressure in your ears is through the Valsalva maneuver. To do this, simply pinch your nose shut or close your nostrils against your mask skirt. Then, blow gently through your nose. This action pushes air into your eustachian tubes, helping to equalize the pressure in your middle ear.
Here are some tips and tricks you can try to make it smoother:
1. START EQUALIZING BEFORE YOUR DIVE
Getting into the habit of equalizing your ears before you even hit the water can really help. It cuts down on the chances of feeling blocked early in your descent and helps you get comfy with the whole equalization process.
Another trick is to chew gum between dives. It forces you to swallow regularly, which keeps the pressure in your ears balanced and helps prevent any blockages from popping up between dives.
2. GO SLOW DURING YOUR INITIAL DESCENT
If your ears are on the sensitive side, it’s smart to take your time during that initial dive. It might not seem like a big deal, but trust me, it is! Just being 0.3 meters underwater means your eardrums are dealing with about 0.02 bar more pressure than what you feel up top.
When you go down to about 1.2 meters, that jumps to 0.12 bar—enough to make you feel uncomfortable if you haven’t cleared your ears yet using the Valsalva maneuver.
So, if your ears are extra sensitive, ease into your descent. A good rule of thumb is to equalize every 0.6 meters you go down. But if you’re really feeling it, try doing it every 0.3 meters instead!
3. EQUALIZE EARLY & OFTEN
Savvy scuba divers know the importance of equalizing continuously as they descend - and even when just cruising at a regular depth. Make it a habit to equalize early and often on your way down, and keep it up until it feels almost automatic.
Even if your ears aren’t super sensitive, forgetting to equalize regularly can lead to issues. Descending just 1.2 to 1.8 meters without equalizing can create some serious pressure and discomfort in your ears, so keep that in mind!
4. USE A DESCENT LINE
Grabbing onto a mooring line is a great way to control your descent rate, especially if your ears are a bit slow to equalize. Plus, having a line to hold onto makes it super easy to stop your descent quickly if you’re feeling pressure in your ears. It’s a handy trick to keep things smooth and comfortable!
5. DESCEND FEET-FIRST
Air naturally rises in your Eustachian tubes, while mucus flows downward. This makes it easier to use equalization methods like the Valsalva maneuver when you're in a “head-up” position rather than “head-down.” So, take your time descending slowly with your fins down and settle into your dive position around 8 to 10 meters.
6. LOOK UP
For most folks, extending your neck helps open up those Eustachian tubes, making it easier to equalize the pressure in your middle ear.
You might also find that tensing your throat while pushing your jaw forward and down does the trick, too. Those muscles can help pull the tubes open and boost the effectiveness of your Valsalva maneuver.
7. TRY DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES
For some divers, the Valsalva technique might not cut it. If that’s you, give the “Lowry technique” a shot! This method combines the Valsalva maneuver with the Toynbee maneuver, which means you’ll pinch your nose and swallow at the same time.
Basically, you’ll pinch your nose, blow, and swallow all together. It might feel a bit awkward at first, so practicing it on land a few times can help. By mixing the Valsalva and Toynbee techniques, you’ll probably have a way easier time equalizing your ears.
Some other divers find that leaning their head side to side or tilting it back a bit helps, too, as it can open up those Eustachian tubes even more. So, experiment with different techniques and see what works best for you!
8. RELAX
If you’re feeling a bit anxious, it’s easy for your muscles to get all tense, especially around your neck. That’s the opposite of what you want when equalizing! So, take a deep breath and loosen up. Relax your head (pay extra attention to that jaw), neck, and shoulders. Getting rid of that tension will make equalizing way easier!
9. STOP IF IT HURTS!
If you’re equalizing properly and often enough, you shouldn’t feel any pain—no way, no how! Delaying your equalization can block those Eustachian tubes due to pressure differences. If you’re feeling discomfort, just ascend a few feet and try equalizing again.
Remember, the golden rule is: if it’s uncomfortable (let alone painful), hit the brakes! Don’t keep pushing down if it starts to hurt, as that’ll just make equalizing tougher and could risk damaging your ears. Your ears are super important, so if you can’t equalize by blowing gently, don’t force it. You might end up sitting out of the water for a while, and nobody wants that!
10. OTHER FACTORS THAT CAN MESS WITH YOUR EQUALIZATION
There are a few other culprits that can make equalizing your ears a challenge. Depending on your situation, some of these might hit close to home:
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Colds or Upper Respiratory Infections: If you’re feeling under the weather and dealing with congestion, it can be super tough to clear your ears. Our advice? Skip the dive and let your body recover.
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Dehydration: When you’re not drinking enough water, your Eustachian tubes can get “sticky” and lock up, making it a struggle to clear your ears. So, chug that water before your dive!
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Decongestants: Steer clear of decongestants! They might seem like a quick fix, but they can wear off while you're underwater, making it tough to ascend if your ears get blocked again. A reverse block is no joke and could even lead to a burst eardrum, so play it safe and skip the meds!
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Keep your mask clear: Water in your nose can irritate your mucous membranes, causing them to produce more clogging substances.
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Dairy: Some divers find that dairy can ramp up mucus production. If you’re prone to equalization issues, you might want to skip the milk and cheese for a few days leading up to your dive.
Happy diving! We can't wait to see you underwater in Koh Tao with us soon!
