The impact of regular diving on the condition of the middle ear

Abstract

Objectives It is generally held that exposure to both high-pressure and long-lasting contact with water makes diving a potentially hazardous sports activity as far as the ears are concerned. There is a number of research investigating the condition of the middle ear in a short period following diving; however, the knowledge regarding the long-term effects of regularly repeated diving remains limited. Material and methods The aim of this study is to evaluate the function of the middle ear after a diving season in a group of 31 adults diving regularly (1–17 years) by means of the following methods: 1) interview, 2) otoscopy, 3) pure tone audiometry, 4) classic tympanometry, and 5) wideband tympanometry. Results Periodic problems with pressure equalization in the middle ear were observed in 12 individuals (38.7%). In all the analyzed cases, the authors found a normal condition of the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane in otoscopy, normal hearing in pure tone audiometry, curve type A, and normal gradient in both classic and wideband tympanometry. Conclusions Safe diving (according to safety precautions) does not have any long-term negative effects on the condition of the middle ear. However, these observations should be verified in a larger group of divers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(6):779–88

Keywords

• tympanometry
• middle ear
• high pressure
• wideband tympanometry
• scuba diving
• acoustic impedance tests