Equalizing your ears is one of the basic skills for scuba diving.
This is something you need to be able to do when scuba diving, but some people find it difficult to do.
This time, we will introduce what to do when you are unable to equalize your ears properly.
■What does ear clearing do?
Emptying your ears means letting air pass through the Eustachian tube, which connects your ears to your nose.
The Eustachian tube balances the pressure on the eardrum from the inside and outside.
It is normally closed, but it opens temporarily when you open your mouth wide or swallow saliva.
If the Eustachian tubes do not open properly, you may experience ear pain during takeoff and landing of an airplane or while scuba diving.
When your ears start to hurt, you should pop them.
To equalize your ears, pinch your nose, close your mouth, and exhale gently through your nose.
Since your nose is pinched, you cannot exhale through it, but if you consciously try to exhale through your nose, air will be sent into your eardrum.
The air inside the eardrum then pushes back against it, equalizing the pressure.
For those who have difficulty clearing their ears, using nasal drops or allergy medications may make it easier.
However, if your ears feel blocked all the time or you feel like your own voice is echoing, it may not only be a problem with the Eustachian tube function, but it may also be acute otitis media or serous otitis media, so you should see an otolaryngologist.
■What should I do if I can't equalize my ears?
When scuba diving, it is often when you are deep underwater that you feel unable to equalize your ears.
If you feel like you can't equalize your ears while diving, surface until your ears no longer hurt and try again.
If you are unable to equalize the pressure in only one ear, try placing the affected ear on top to make it easier to equalize the pressure.
Once you have equalized your ears, you can dive down and meet up with other divers, but if you can't, don't force yourself.
Use a signal to let your instructor, buddy, or group leader know that you are unable to equalize your ears or that your ears are not working properly.
To signal that your ear is not working, simply point to your ear and then move your palm next to your ear.
There have been cases where people have ruptured their eardrums or damaged their middle ears if they try to force themselves to dive, so it's best to just stop.
■ Otovento is ideal for practicing ear equalization
Many people who have trouble equalizing their ears do not know the correct way to do it.
An Otovent, commonly known as a nasal balloon, is an effective way to practice ear equalization.
Otovento is a device that allows you to practice ear clearing by inflating a balloon with your nose.
You can visually check the inflation of the balloon, so you can learn how to breathe properly.
Another benefit is that the balloon relieves pressure, which avoids the risk of damaging the organs inside your ear by blowing too hard, making this a safe practice method.
If you are scuba diving for the first time, or if it has been a while since you last did so, or if you have trouble getting the hang of equalizing your ears, or if you have ever found it difficult to equalize your ears, we recommend you try practicing with Otovento.
Some people may find it difficult to equalize their ears, which is one of the basic skills for scuba diving.
Ear clearing is a skill that can help relieve ear pain that occurs when scuba diving.
These are essential for enjoying scuba diving, so if you're having trouble, be sure to try out the solutions introduced here.
