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FALL 2011
RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE
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F R O M T H E M E D I C A L L I N E
Q:
I’ve been diving for 20 years, and my ears are
getting worse for the wear. I hear many people
singing the praises of vented earplugs. What is
DAN’s opinion of them?
A:
In the past 10 years no new information has surfaced
to warrant any change in DAN’s recommendations
regarding the use of vented earplugs. Although
traditional, nonvented earplugs are never appropriate for
diving, some divers report improved equalization while using
vented earplugs. Others, however, report no improvement.
Manufacturers of these products claim they make equalization
easier, but since pressures must still be equalized we do not
know why that would be the case. Although the ear canals may
remain drier, this does not change the fact that the pressure
in the middle ears must still equalize to the surrounding
water pressure. Originally, vented earplugs were designed to
reduce the occurrence of otitis externa (swimmer’s ear). For
this purpose the earplugs have demonstrated some value. We
know of no consistent evidence, scientific or anecdotal, to
confirm significant improvement
of equalization.
Longtime DAN consulting
physician and ear, nose and
throat surgeon, Dr. Cameron
Gillespie,
recently confirmed that
users are not likely to be injured
by using vented earplugs while
diving. However, Gillespie does
have some reservations about
their use on the surface. Earplugs
inhibit normal hearing and may
hinder buddy communication and
awareness of crew instructions.
If earplugs are worn with the
hope of easing the process of
equalization, they should not be
used in an attempt to compensate
for sinus congestion or other
major obstacles to equalization, as
these obstacles preclude diving. In
addition, since the risk of leaking
cannot be eliminated completely,
diving with a perforated eardrum
or pressure-equalization tubes is
not recommended at any time —
with or without earplugs.
— John U. Lee, MSDT, EMT,
CHT, DMT, DAN medical
information specialist
Regualr earplugs
should not be
used while
diving, but some
divers believe
vented earplugs
may offer some
benefits.
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