Your ears hurt when you dive in a pool primarily due to the pressure difference between the air in your middle ear and the water pressure outside. This pressure imbalance can cause pain and discomfort.
Understanding the Pressure Imbalance
When you descend in water, the water pressure increases significantly. This external pressure pushes against your eardrum. If the pressure inside your middle ear isn't equalized, your eardrum can stretch and cause pain.
How to Equalize the Pressure
The key to preventing ear pain when diving is to equalize the pressure in your middle ear. Here's how:
- Pinch your nose: Close your nostrils by pinching them together with your fingers.
- Blow gently: Gently try to blow air out of your nose while keeping it pinched. This forces air through the Eustachian tubes, which connect your middle ear to the back of your throat.
- Listen for a pop: You should hear or feel a "pop" in your ears, indicating that the pressure has been equalized.
This technique, known as the Valsalva maneuver, helps to equalize the pressure and alleviate the pain. The YouTube video suggests this technique.
What Happens if You Don't Equalize?
If you don't equalize the pressure, you may experience:
- Ear pain: Mild to severe discomfort in your ears.
- Ear fullness: A feeling of pressure or blockage in your ears.
- Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing in your ears.
- Vertigo: Dizziness or a spinning sensation.
- Eardrum rupture: In severe cases, the pressure can cause your eardrum to rupture, leading to pain, hearing loss, and infection.
Tips for Easier Equalization
- Equalize early and often: Start equalizing your ears before you feel any pain or pressure, and repeat the process frequently as you descend.
- Descend slowly: Give your ears time to adjust to the changing pressure by descending slowly.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can thicken the mucus in your Eustachian tubes, making it harder to equalize.
- Avoid diving when congested: If you have a cold or allergies, your Eustachian tubes may be blocked, making equalization difficult.
- Try other equalization techniques: If the Valsalva maneuver doesn't work, try swallowing or wiggling your jaw.
By understanding why your ears hurt when diving and taking steps to equalize the pressure, you can enjoy swimming without discomfort.
