Pain in the ears while falling

[StanBrooklyn 0]

I've already mentioned this in the introductory post, but I'll ask it here too. I'm going to start training within a month or so, depending on my financial capability and time availability. I did one tandem jump about a year ago and my main point of discomfort was the pain/ringing in the ears associated with change of height/pressure.

Is there anything that can be done about it or you just learn to ignore it? Thanks :)

[AggieDave 6]

Did you have any sinus pressure prior to the jump?

Either way, you really should consult with your doctor. Ear pain is a serious problem that could indicate a series of conditions that could cause permanent damage to your ears.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[labrys 0]

Quote

I've already mentioned this in the introductory post, but I'll ask it here too. I'm going to start training within a month or so, depending on my financial capability and time availability. I did one tandem jump about a year ago and my main point of discomfort was the pain/ringing in the ears associated with change of height/pressure.

See a doctor if you are concerned. If it was really painful maybe there's a problem.

If it was just uncomfortable, that's probably normal and most people I've heard discuss the problem seem to develop a tolerance. I did anyway.

Bottom line is always that if you have a health concern, ask a doctor and not a stranger on a web forum.

Owned by Remi #?

[StanBrooklyn 0]

Well, I don't think it's a sign of an illness of any sort. All people experience it, perhaps I made it sounds worse than it did. You know how when you go on an elevator to the 100th floor in a skyscraper and there's this pressure accumulating in the ears? That's what it was, just much more due to the quicker change of height. I'm sure everyone experiences it, at least everyone I jumped with did.

[Sangi 0]

I remember, during my tandem and when I was doing AFF I used to have really unpleasant pain in the ears, but it passed and I no longer feel any discomfort.

Also, don't jump if you have a really bad cold with a running nose. I jumped a lot of times with a running nose and the liquidy boogers would cover my goggles all over during freefall and I could barely see where I was going (I was always taking tissues with me in my jumpsuit pocket so I could wipe them off after I deploy my canopy)

"Dream as you'll live forever, live as you'll die today." James Dean

[StanBrooklyn 0]

So it goes away, that's what I was curious about, thanks!

[ladydyver 0]

sometimes it is because you eustachian tubes aren't use to being stretched or your sinuses are full....sometimes there are anatomical problems...hence the talk to your doctor ---- none of us can diagnose the problem over the internet...you need an exam to rule out other problems or you could continue to have problems or complications.

DPH # 2
"I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~
I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc!

[StanBrooklyn 0]

I suppose a better question was to ask how many of you experience ear discomfort while skydiving. Its common knowledge that with altitude change everyone experiences it, just at different degrees. I jumped with 6 friends and everyone experienced it, so I may be just making it sound worse to you guys :) it happens because the air above is less dense than on the ground, I mainly thought that there was a common way how skydivers deal with it, in an airplane its suggested to yawn and or blow your nose to relieve air congestion.

[AllisonH 0]

Quote

I suppose a better question was to ask how many of you experience ear discomfort while skydiving. Its common knowledge that with altitude change everyone experiences it, just at different degrees. I jumped with 6 friends and everyone experienced it, so I may be just making it sound worse to you guys :) it happens because the air above is less dense than on the ground, I mainly thought that there was a common way how skydivers deal with it, in an airplane its suggested to yawn and or blow your nose to relieve air congestion.

Occasionally (really only if I already have the beginnings of a cold or sinus problems and probably shouldn't be jumping anyway) I have to pop my ears after my canopy opens, but I've never had any ear pain from jumping, and very rarely notice it enough to even call it discomfort. It always surprises me to hear tandems and students mention it, because it's never been an issue for me.

[StanBrooklyn 0]

That makes sense that students mention it and not the experienced skydivers. Ear probably adjusts to it soon after.

I suppose I'll consult a specialist if it persists after several more jumps.

[LaRusic 0]

I think one of the reasons this happens is because of the rapid change of air pressure causing a difference in pressure between ur outer and inner ear (dont know technical terms) Same thing happens in scuba diving when decending and one trick to qualize the pressure is to plug ur nose and try to blow out ur nose, i do this after im under canopy a lot of the time.

The Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless
Dudeist Skydiver # 10

[Skydivesg 7]

I take Sudafed every day that I jump or fly.

Decending after I fly is worse than jumping but Sudafed and equalizing my ears, regularly, takes care of it for me.

Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

[ladydyver 0]

Quote

Quote

I suppose a better question was to ask how many of you experience ear discomfort while skydiving. Its common knowledge that with altitude change everyone experiences it, just at different degrees. I jumped with 6 friends and everyone experienced it, so I may be just making it sound worse to you guys :) it happens because the air above is less dense than on the ground, I mainly thought that there was a common way how skydivers deal with it, in an airplane its suggested to yawn and or blow your nose to relieve air congestion.

Occasionally (really only if I already have the beginnings of a cold or sinus problems and probably shouldn't be jumping anyway) I have to pop my ears after my canopy opens, but I've never had any ear pain from jumping, and very rarely notice it enough to even call it discomfort. It always surprises me to hear tandems and students mention it, because it's never been an issue for me.

I have to equalize a lot both with jumping and scuba.....it was bad with scuba for a couple of years, but now is not a problem after a couple of dives. having to equalize is one thing but true pain is another - rupturing an ear drum or getting a barotrauma is not a lot of fun.

DPH # 2
"I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~
I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc!

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

I get it every jump. For me, the high speed descent of freefall makes it worse. If I am flying the plane, I can clear my ears as I come down and am fine on the ground. When I jump, I clear my ears under canopy, and again on the ground, and again on the ground, and again on the ground. One jump or a bunch doesn't seem to matter. I'm not a doc, but it seems as if I get some minor swelling in there somewhere, and as the swelling subsides, I need to re-clear. No other after effects, but there have been times when I clear my ears for the last time 3 or 4 hours later. Yawning, swallowing (chewing gum promotes swallowing), pinching the nose shut and blowing your nose (GENTLY!) all work, but most effective for me is to open my eyes wide(bug them out) and wiggle my jaw around. Gets lots of funny looks from the whuffos, but works for me.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[StanBrooklyn 0]

Alright, finally some real practical advices!

So:

- chewing a gum
- swallowing
- opening eyes wide and wiggling your jaw (never would've thought of this, I'll try it)
- blowing your nose

I know that for me the most effective way is to swallow some water, but I don't think that's an option while skydiving. I do this when on the elevators in skyscrapers or airplanes.

[StanBrooklyn 0]

Never heard of Sudafed, I'll give it a try. Thanks!

[ladydyver 0]

yawning helps me.

DPH # 2
"I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~
I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc!

[4chewnate 0]

"Sudafed" is actually a brand name for a drug called pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. This is the main ingredient used for making "crystal meth".

For that reason many states moved the product to behind the pharmacy counter and you have to show an ID in order to buy it. Don't let that diswade you. As long as you're not buying massive quantities at various stores you'll be fine.

I don't buy the brand name product "Sudafed" because it's 3 to 4 times the cost for a generic. Instead I go to Walmart and ask for their corporate brand which is "Equate" and their generic Sudafed which is called "Suphedrine".

Don't get sucked into buying "Sudafed PE". This is a product they came out with so they would not have to put it behind the drug counter. It's not the same and doesn't work well. Make sure the ingedient is "Pseudoephedrine HCI 30 mg"

It's very inexpensive and works wonders on sinus and ear congestion. Many people have some level of ear congestion even if they don't realize it.

I take it every day that I jump. I keep several packages in my gear bag, car and back pack.


Here is some formal information from Web MD.
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Pseudoephedrine
Generic Name: pseudoephedrine (soo doe eh FEH drin)
Brand Names: Cenafed, Chlor Trimeton Nasal Decongestant, Decofed, Dimetapp Decongestant, Drixoral Decongestant Non-Drowsy, Elixsure Decongestant, Genaphed, Kid Kare Drops, Ridafed, Seudotabs, Sudafed, Sudrine, Suphedrin, Triaminic Softchews Allergy Congestion, Unifed

What is pseudoephedrine?

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Pseudoephedrine is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion, or congestion of the tubes that drain fluid from your inner ears, called the eustachian (yoo-STAY-shun) tubes.

Pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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Good luck. Keep those ears clear........

[ladydyver 0]

make sure you do a trial run with it before you jump. some people are very sensitve to it...can cause you to be sleepy or can cause you to be wired (I only take 1/2 of the recommended dosage because it gets me wired and shaky)

The stuff out in the aisle's doesn't work as well for me as real pseudephedrine. It uses phenylephrine instead and it just doesn't seem to benefit me all that well, but everyone is a little different.

DPH # 2
"I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~
I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc!

[mdrejhon 8]

Hey,

On my first jumps and if I haven't jumped in a while, my ears hurts especially it comes after landing when the andrenaline subsides. But after a few jumps, it's a non-issue. You do get used to it, assuming it's just a simple matter of not being used to it (rather than being some serious underlying issue, or damage, etc).

Just keep jumping. Don't get dependant on medicine, unless necessary -- it took me only a few skydives at the beginning. (Or a couple of jumps after a long layover).