Divers and Ears: a question of equalizing

Equalizing your ears is one of the first skills that new divers learn and that we practice on every single dive. While building up dives, equalization becomes almost instinctive for many divers. For some divers equalizing remains difficult, frustrating and even painful. Let's have a look into the process, the techniques and what can make equalizing problematic.

The anatomy of the human ear

Without going in too many details, the human ear can be segmented in 3 major parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear is at the surface filled with air. When being submerged, our outer ear fills with water and does not cause any issues. The inner ear is filled with body fluids. As a liquid is almost non-compressible, the inner does seldom cause an issue when diving. The middle ear is a dead air space filled with air. When diving the air in the middle ear is getting compressed and puts the ear drum and the inner soft tissues under pressure. It are these pressure changes you experience during scuba diving. As we descend, the surrounding pressure increases, while the pressure in your middle ear remains the same. The imbalance can cause extreme discomfort. Through equalization we re-balance the pressure in our middle ear by increasing or decreasing the gas pressure in order to match the pressure at depth. We do this though the Eustachian tube which connects the middle ear with our nose. Inner Ear

The Eustachian tube

The Eustachian tube makes the connection between our middle ear and our nose. As we are breathing gas at depth, our nose contains air at the same pressure as the environment. The Eustachian tube is made of and surrounded by soft tissue. You can look at it as a balloon. When the pressure in the balloon is higher that the surrounding pressure, the excess air will easily come out. This is what typically happens when you are ascending during the dive. When descending, the balloon holds gas at a lower pressure, pushing the sides to each other thus blocking air flowing into it. In order to equalize the pressure, you must force the sites to open up and let air flow into the balloon.

Equalization techniques

The Valsalva Maneuver is the most common method and the one you probably learned during your certification. This involves pinching your nose and blowing gently (like blowing your nose in a handkerchief), thereby forcing air to move along the Eustachian tubes and into your middle ear. The excess pressure from the lower part of the Eustachian tube is forced open and allows air to flow in the middle ear. It is effective as long as you use it in a timely fashion. However, if you wait until discomfort occurs to try equalizing this way, it often doesn’t work. If the outside pressure becomes too great, the Eustachian cushions become “locked” shut – and no amount of air will open them. Instead, if you blow too hard, you risk causing damage to your inner ear tissues. An alternative is to try pinching your nose and swallowing (a method known as the Toynbee Maneuver), or moving your jaw as if you’re about to yawn. These techniques use the throat muscles rather than air pressure to open the Eustachian cushion and are usually more effective if the valves are already locked shut. Of course, the easiest way to avoid this problem in the first place is to equalize before the pressure becomes too great, i.e. every meter of your descent, or before experiencing discomfort.

Checklist for effective equalization

  • Listen for the "pop" Before going for a dive, make sure that when you swallow you hear a "pop" in both ears. This tells you both Eustachian tubes are opening.
  • Take  it slowly Never continue to dive if you feel pain in your ears. Take it slow and attempt to equalize. Don't let your buddy or your dive guide put you under pressure.
  • Start early Before the dive, begin gently equalizing your ears every few minutes. Chewing gum seems to help because it makes you swallow often.
  • Equalize at the surface Pre-pressurizing at the surface helps most divers get past the critical first few meter of descent. It may also inflate your Eustachian tubes so they are slightly bigger. Although not proven to be the most efficient,  it's worth trying it out to see if it helps you.
  • Descend feet first Studies have shown a Valsalva Maneuver requires 50 percent more force when you're in a head-down position than head-up.
  • Look up Extending your neck tends to open your Eustachian tubes.
  • Use a descent line Pulling yourself down an anchor line helps control your descent rate. It also helps you stop your descent if you feel pressure.
  • Stay ahead Equalize often, trying to maintain a slight positive pressure in your middle ears. Don't wait until you feel pressure or pain.
  • Stop if it hurts Your Eustachian tubes are probably locked shut by pressure differential. Ascend a little bit and try equalizing again.
  • Avoid milk Some foods, including milk, can increase your mucus production.
  • Avoid tobacco and alcohol Both tobacco smoke and alcohol irritate your mucus membranes, promoting more mucus that can block your Eustachian tubes.
  • Keep your mask clear Water up your nose can irritate your mucus membranes, which then produce more of the stuff that clogs.
 

Common Octopus

Posted on by Joris De Witte

The Common Octopus The common octopus is a master in disguise. When looking to ambush or to hide, it changes its color instantaneously and thus becomes one with the background. When really threatened he will eject a cloud of ink allowing it enough time to seek shelter. How to recognize a common octopus? Scuba Diving […]

Bastard Grunt (Roncadores)

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Big schools of Bastard Grunt or Roncadores Jump from the boat, dive into the blue and see the large groups of silver-yellow fish, sometimes a couple of 1.000 of them, slowly moving. You cannot deny, the numbers are their strength, definitely with groups of barracuda hanging above.   How to recognize a Bastard Grunt? Scuba […]

Cuttlefish

Posted on by Joris De Witte

The remarkable camouflage from the cuttlefish With its rugby-ball shaped body and a set of arms sticking out on one site it is a somewhat strange appearance. Once it starts changing its colour and its pattern the image is complete. Spotting a Cuttlefish is a unique experience. How to recognize a cuttlefish? Scuba Diving The […]

Angelshark

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Never disturb an angelshark. The angelshark is an expert to hide in the sand during the day. Only an experienced eye will spot it. On night dives, when hunting, you take a humble distance to this gracious creature.   How to recognize an angelshark? Scuba Diving The angelshark diet The angelshark reproduction Endangered Species Some […]

Refresh your diving skills

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Why would I need a scuba refresh? Everybody has experienced it. You are on a diving excursion and one of your fellow divers is not at the level expected. It typically starts with the preparation of the dive kit. It takes ages to get prepared and requires the full attention of the dive centre staff. […]

Common eagle ray

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Shy but gracious, meet the common eagle ray The gracious appearance of the common eagle ray always has an amazing effect on divers. Slowly appearing out of the blue, elegantly gliding through the water and disappearing in the open ocean, it always leaves you with a humble feeling. How to recognize a common eagle ray? […]

Marbled electric ray

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Spinning around a marbled electric ray Thanks to its round shape, the marbled electric ray, also known as the Torpedo ray, is easy to recognise, although sometimes hard to spot. As a predator it is often hiding under the sand, just its eyes visible, waiting to ambush pray with an electric shock. Luckily the round […]

Common Stingray

Posted on by Joris De Witte

The common stingray, the boss of the sea The solitary common stingray can be scary when sighted. Some of the older animals are enormous and can appear out of nowhere. Definitely during night dives seeing them appear out of the dark, you better move away as they won’t! How to recognize a common stingray? Scuba […]

Spiny butterfly ray

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Be surprised by the spiny butterfly ray A passing butterfly ray, with a span of sometimes more than 2 m, does not stay unnoticed. You do admire the apparently effortless movements that make it glide beautifully through the water. It is just spectacular! How to recognize a spiny butterfly ray? Scuba Diving The spiny butterfly […]

Round fantail stingray

Posted on by Joris De Witte

The Round fantail stingray looks like dancing The gracious hovering of this bottom dwelling ray is a great seeing. Their moves are harmonious and seem effortless, like performing in an underwater ballet. Sometimes they are solitary, but commonly you will see them with multiple species together. How to recognize a round fantail stingray? Scuba Diving […]

Painted comber

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Encounter with a Painted comber in Gran Canaria The painted comber is not very shy so you can get quite close to it. With its multitude of colours, it’s always a great model for underwater photographers. How to recognize a painted comber? Scuba Diving The painted comber diet Good to know Some Science More Information […]

Canary damsel

Posted on by Joris De Witte

The Canary Damsel fish is a small but aggressive little thing. On every dive you will find them, the little black devils that think they can attack the giants. The Canary Damsel male will charge fearlessly at any predator coming too close to its nest, whether it’s an octopus or a diver. How to recognize […]

Atlantic trumpetfish

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Spotting the trumpetfish in Gran Canaria Easy to recognise, often hanging in the water head down, long body, you will meet the Atlantic trumpetfish at any dive site in the south of Gran Canaria. How to recognize a trumpetfish? Scuba Diving The trumpetfish diet Good to know Some Science More Information   How to recognize […]

Gran Canaria – little paradise

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Gran Canaria, the round island Gran Canaria, located in the centre of the Canarian archipelago – also called the round island because of its circular shape – is 47 km across and covers an area of 1,560 sq km. Its highest peak, Pozo de Las Nieves (1,949m above sea level), is situated right in the […]

Moray Eels

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Discover the 4 most spotted Moray Eels in the Canary Islands About 200 different species of Moray eels exist worldwide. Of these 4 different species are to be found when diving in the south of the Canary Islands. Fangtooth moray Black Moray Brown moray eel Canary moray Seeing a Moray eel with its mysterious eyes […]

A job in the diving industry, how to apply?

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Why do you want a job in a dive center? Before entering into details and tips on how to apply for a job, think about why you want to apply for it. For the newbies in the industry, just became a Dive Master or recently went through the instructor certification process, applying for a first job […]

Divers and Ears: a question of equalizing

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Equalizing your ears is one of the first skills that new divers learn and that we practice on every single dive. While building up dives, equalization becomes almost instinctive for many divers. For some divers equalizing remains difficult, frustrating and even painful. Let’s have a look into the process, the techniques and what can make equalizing […]

10 Things That Change When You Start Scuba Diving

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Your life changes when you start scuba diving After competing your scuba diving training and subsequently preparing for your first dive, there is a sense of nervousness and excitement. But within minutes of jumping into the ‘deep blue’, that anxiety seems to cease and you are overwhelmed with a sense of tranquility and peace. The […]

Why do you want to work in the diving industry?

Posted on by Joris De Witte

Work as a diver as an adventure Most people are convinced that becoming a dive instructor and work in the industry is only about the adventure in your life, working in exotic destinations and earning lots of money. Well, the truth is a bit different. Talk to dive instructors and dive masters, both experienced and […]