Tinnitus: SCUBA Diving

According to two audiologists, SCUBA diving will not negatively affect or aggravate tinnitus. The Diver's Alert Network (DAN) has also stated that tinnitus should not curtail diving but recommends seeing a hearing specialist before diving with tinnitus (just to be on the safe side).

Here is why SCUBA diving does not affect tinnitus negatively:

Pressure only affects air spaces of the body (lungs, esophagus, nasal passages, mouth, and eustachian tubes). The cochlea, vestibular nerve, and the brain are fluid filled spaces not air passages. In my case, the damage is in the cochlea. Since pressure does not affect the fluid filled cochlea, SCUBA diving has no negative affect for me.

I've noticed some temporary relief from my tinnitus while SCUBA diving and for a few hours after each dive. My theory as to why this happens has to do with temperature. It certainly is not pressure at depth that causes temporary relief. I think what is happening is that as brain temperature cools it causes the AC current in the brain to drop causing temporary relief. A few hours later, on land, as the brain returns to its normal temperature the AC current raises back up and the tinnitus suddenly returns. It is like a light switch being turned on.

If, however, the eardrum is damaged (which mine are not) then one would not want to be diving. It is possible for someone to have a damaged eardrum that could cause tinnitus-like symptoms.

High blood pressure may trigger pulsatile tinnitus (a pulsing sound in the ears). SCUBA Diving does have some impact on blood pressure. It has more to do with how the alveoli in the lungs absorb and process the compressed air molecules in the lungs.

Other factors that impact blood pressure are reactions to unfamiliar surroundings, cold water, and underwater stress or panic. These factors can raise  blood pressure quickly. Don't spare the expense. Buy the equipment that you need to be as comfortable as you possibly can be in the water. The best practice is to get a dive physical as regularly as needed.

If you suffer from hypertension and tinnitus then dialogue with your medical providers to come up with a solution. Keep in mind that the solution may be, "Don't dive."

Just because someone is a SCUBA diver and has tinnitus doesn't mean that SCUBA diving caused the tinnitus. As scientists and statisticians often say, "Correlation does not imply causation."

If you are experiencing insomnia as a secondary condition of your tinnitus then be honest with yourself and realize your limitation and find something else that gives you as much enjoyment as SCUBA diving but is safe for you to do.

You may be going through a time where your treatment team is trying to adjust your medications to match your lifestyle. Let the team know that you want to SCUBA dive. Ask if it is okay to do so. Always land on the side of safety. If your conscience is telling you not to dive then don't dive until you know that it is safe.

Be mindful not to SCUBA dive while under the influence of medications that may limit your ability to safely dive.

Also, if you are suffering from chronic insomnia as a secondary condition to your tinnitus, consider that your immune system may not be as strong as it used to be. Bacteria in the water, that you used to be immune to, may affect you. Your skin could present lesions, rashes, boils, etc. If this happens, see your doctor right away.