Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Any divers/snorkelers here?

My wife and I are currently in Jamaica and we have been doing a daily snorkel trip out of the resort. Every time I come out of the water and get back on the boat, I am about 90% deaf. Voices sound very faint and like Alvin and the Chipmunks and I cannot hear the boat engines at all, just the vibration. This lasts for about 4-6 hours. I have tried all the usual methods of clearing water from my ears and none make any difference. I am thinking that this is some kind of a pressure differential in my inner ears as it doesn't feel like there is water in my ears. I tried equalizing when back on the boat and that made no difference. Strangely, one day I got a case of the hiccups and my hearing returned for a few minutes and then I was back to nearly deaf again.
I have been a competitive swimmer, diver and snorkeler my whole life. If you logged all the time I have spent in pools, lakes and oceans I am certain that it would be measured in years, and I have never experienced anything like this. Has anyone ever experienced anything similar or have any ideas for a fix?

Water in the ear, they make drops that will help clear it if you’re having problems.

Your inner ear is not clearing after a dive. A decongestant will help.

I was taught to plug my nose close my mouth and exhale.
The pressure created balances out the unequal pressure in you ears.

After you do it several times it gets easier and it will clear to tubes in your ears.

First time I did it it hurt like hell.

I even do it now when driving down from the mountains when my ears do not adjust.

I am a diver also, I know you have been doing everything to clear your ears, the decongestant idea may help , all I know is you better stay out of water couple days before you fly back and clear head, plane flight will have you on the floor if not much better.

What Angus said. That's strange what you've got going on. I've dove all over. What you've got going on is weird with just snorkling. Good luck!!!!

The decongestant will help, so will tequila shots. We go to cozemel every year. Have fun! Hope you got some Valentines boom boom!

+ 1 on the decongestants,also,try clearing your ears as you go,not just when you feel the pressure against them.That has always worked for me.

^^^^
Are you clearing your ears as you descend?

Try yawning, swallowing with your mouth closed.

Snorkelling is way worse than diving. U R up n down like a yo-yo, where with a tank on you just go down and equalise as you go down and you stay there.

I use home made ear drops of alcohol, vinegar, and distilled water. They help but I usually dont have to listen to my wife yell at me for at least 2-3 days after a big week. So there is an up side.

Yup, that and some drops that contain alcohol to absorb the water.

Chewing gum helps on flights. My ears are sensitive to the pressure change. I have to hold my nose and blow several times during flights. It is especially bad on the decent. Gum might help.


Clyde

Thanks for the suggestions. I have some antihistamine along and will try that.

Stick to muff diving !

Ha good answer

You’ve been given good advice. A decongestant, preferably one that doesn’t cause drowsiness when you’re in the water and I’d suggest wax earplugs to prevent water intrusion into the ear. When I swam competitively I would use a couple drops of alcohol to displace the water and a couple drops of apple cider vinegar for ph control.

Our son had tubes in his ears when he was younger and since we couldn’t keep the little water bug out of the water we used OTC wax earplugs and they helped immensely.

Good luck…. I know how frustrating it can be.

Yeah, its probably either some congestion in your ear/Eustachian tube or you're getting some swelling in your inner ear from repeated changes in pressure. Antihistamines will help in either case as they reduces both congestion and inflammation.