The body has developed a mechanism to maintain equal pressure in the middle ear, and that is the Eustachian tube. The middle ear is a sealed space, but it is connected to the Eustachian tube, which is sometimes open and sometimes closed. This tube can open to equalise small differences in pressure within the middle ear (MUMC+, 2025). When you swallow, yawn or actively push air from your nose into your ears, the Eustachian tube opens, allowing pressure differences to be equalised. This is also known as clearing your ears.
Please note: if the pain persists or is accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness or discharge, consult a doctor to rule out more serious damage (Symptoms and Treatment, 2026). < 2 >By practising equalisation techniques, you can learn to protect your ears more effectively. It is understandable how frustrating and painful earache after diving can be, so you should not delay in taking action. This will ensure you can quickly return to enjoying your next diving adventure safely and pain-free.
If you experience earache after diving, it is important to stop diving immediately for the rest of the day and possibly the rest of the week, so as not to put any further strain on your ears (Symptoms and Treatment, 2026). As a beginner diver, you shouldn’t let this put you off. It’s simply a matter of getting used to it and learning how to equalise your ears properly. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can get back to enjoying all your diving adventures to the full (Symptoms and Treatment, 2026).
By being mindful of pressure changes and equalising, diving becomes easier on your ears. Using effective techniques and aids such as Otovent helps to reduce discomfort and support recovery. This way, diving remains enjoyable for everyone.
If you’d like to find out more about diving, such as what you need and where you can dive, then do take a look at www.wereldduiken.nl. There you’ll find detailed information about diving, stunning dive sites and blogs written especially for divers.
