Eardrum Question

[Stumpy 256]

Friend of mine has previously had a burst eardrum. Should this preclude her from doing a tandem? I believe it is all healed from what her last doctor said, but is this one where she needs to seek a doctors opinion? or would this generally not be a problem?

Thanks in advance
Dave

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[Acoisa 0]

It's probably a good idea to ask a doctor.. But she can also try slowly diving down the deep end of a pool 20-30ft and see if she has any problems equalizing the pressure...

[Andy_Copland 0]

Sorry if this seems off topic but maybe help other skydivers with ear pain.

I perforated my ear drum in the past, was always getting ear infections and even going throug a tunnel on a train is a nightmare for my ears.

I take a nasal decongestant and maybe this is just me but if i wake up and go straight into a freefly jump the increased speeds can really give me quite severe pain that lasts ages. I do a belly jump to prep my ears. Even better is a hop n pop.

After one or two of those i seem to be fine.

1338

People aint made of nothin' but water and shit.

Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

[karenmeal 0]

It depends on why her eardrums ruptured in the first place. If her eustachian tube doesn't function properly for some reason, then jumping could very well rupture her eardrum again. (Or worse.)

She should ask her doctor before jumping (preferably an ear nose and throat doctor) because you can do some serious and irreversible damage to your ears from jumping when you are not able to pressurize the airspace in your middle ears.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[Stumpy 256]

Thanks all - i'll see if i can get her to chime in here. I'm not sure but i think it was caused by scuba - i'll get some words of her and be a bit more specific.

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[Jewels 0]

A burst eardrum deserves a doctor's answer to your question. IF the doctor gives her the go-ahead, she might also ask about taking Sudafed before jumping. I had ear infections in both ears not long ago and the doctor told me to take Sudafed to help with the change in pressure because it opens those passageways right up. (Note the use of the technical medical term "those passageways!" Yet another reason to have her consult a doctor--get someone who knows what they are doing and saying.) I don't know if the same "passageways" might be involved with a burst eardrum and my lowly ear infections, but anything that might help with the change in pressure sounds like a good idea in general to me!

TPM Sister #102

[sambo8 0]

Hey there,

Thanks for all the feedback , I burst my eardrum scuba diving but on the ascent which I think is quite rare. I took decongestants before diving, and was told afterwards that PADI recommend you don't due to your ears not feeling the full pressure and therefore you can't tell if you have equalised. I'm guessing the best approach would be to get a doctors view.

[Stumpy 256]

Ah - hi Sam!!
See you made it!

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[JohnMitchell 14]

Quote

It's probably a good idea to ask a doctor.. But she can also try slowly diving down the deep end of a pool 20-30ft and see if she has any problems equalizing the pressure...

That's a damn deep pool. The pressure differential on a tandem jump from 13K is equal to going about 10 feet down, not much more.

[northcave 0]

I burst my ear drum only 2 months ago scuba diving and i have skydiving only 2 weeks later. The doctors won;t tell you this but it is actually easier to equalise with a hole in your ear drum!!!

Mine is now better than ever and i get less pain or discomfort skydiving than i did.

Normal outer ear drum perforations are ok. They heal fine in time. However you must seek adivice if it is the inner drum / window. that is much more serious but quite uncommon.

The answer tends to be your are fine to skydive if u have previous burst your ear drum and let it hear fully first.

Consult your doctor first but mine if A OK!

Tim

[jrmaf 0]

Please do not do this. Even if she could equalize during the descent, there is the distinct possibility a reverse blockage during the ascent could cause tympanic membrane rupture, or worse, inner ear damage. To the OP-if your friend currently flies commercially, she will probably be fine. Best bet, if there is any concern, is to see an ENT specialist.

[jrmaf 0]

If you indeed do have a compromised tympanic membrane (ear drum), then you are not equalizing that side at all. There will be no pressure differential if there is not a barrier to pressure transference. Additionally, if you continue to jump/dive/shower/bathe, etc., with a perforated ear drum, you are risking infection due to the possible movement of foreign matter into the middle ear area. Your Doctor would be the best answer as to whether any activity would be ok.

[jrmaf 0]

The problem is called "rebound", and it has more to do with the medication wearing off at a time when it is most needed to allow the passages to vent expanding gas (air). Using a decongestant to allow equalization is not a very safe way to dive. The occurence you are describing is called a "reverse block" where the eustachian tube is either blocked by mucus or another obstruction, or is formed so that the path for the expanding air is not allowing the gas to vent as rapidly as it is expanding. Slowing your rate of ascent, stopping if you feel pressure, (or fullness), and re-descending slightly as you equalize again usually will allow a safe ascent with no damage. Remember, the last 15 feet of ascent generate the greatest pressure change, so your risk of this occurence is higher the closer you are to the end of your ascent.

[chrismgtis 0]

Quote

The doctors won;t tell you this but it is actually easier to equalise with a hole in your ear drum!!!

Probably the easiest way to think about it is filling up a balloon with air, then let loose of the end just a tiny bit to release some air. That's basically what the Eustachian tubes are doing. You could release your grip on the balloon as much as you want, but your Eustachian tubes will only open slightly. If you have a hole in the balloon it could release the air very easily. So yea definitely, a hole in your ear pretty much eliminates the need to equalize air pressure.

You just don't want to go scuba diving with a hole in your ear. I wouldn't exactly suggest skydiving with one unless it's a condition you have had a long time that you know is not going to heal.

Rodriguez Brother #1614, Muff Brother #4033
Jumped: Twin Otter, Cessna 182, CASA, Helicopter, Caravan