Scuba & Dive ENT Care Posted on May 19, 2026 by Goodyear Office Trouble Equalizing? Ear, sinus, and congestion problems can ruin a dive before it starts. Scuba diving places unique pressure demands on the ears, nose and sinuses. If you have trouble equalizing, recurrent ear pain, sinus pressure, congestion before dive travel or questions about returning to diving after an ENT condition or procedure, Arizona Desert ENT can help evaluate what may be getting in the way. At Arizona Desert ENT, care is tailored specifically for divers and is provided by a board-certified ENT doctor who is also a PADI-certified diver. Daniel D. Charous, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist and PADI-certified diver, offering practical evaluation of dive-related ear and sinus symptoms. Arizona Desert ENT does not provide generic dive clearance. We provide ENT evaluation and personalized medical guidance for divers with ear, sinus, congestion, and equalization concerns. Why Do Divers Seek ENT Care? Divers should schedule evaluations for: Difficulty equalizing one or both ears Ear pressure, fullness or muffled hearing after diving Recurrent middle-ear barotrauma Sinus pressure or “sinus squeeze.” Congestion, allergies or rhinitis before dive travel Questions after ear, nose or sinus procedures Equalization challenges are not always a technique issue. Sometimes the issue is anatomy, inflammation, infection, allergy, sinus disease or Eustachian tube dysfunction. What Makes This Evaluation Different? This is a focused ENT evaluation with real dive context in mind. Care is delivered with real dive context in mind, helping identify issues that specifically affect safety, comfort and performance under pressure. Designed for Divers Ideal before a dive trip or certification dive Helpful for frequent divers experiencing recurring symptoms Focused on practical, dive-specific recommendations What Diving-Related Conditions Are Evaluated? Ear & Equalization Concerns Difficulty equalizing Ear pain or pressure during descent or ascent Ear fullness or muffled hearing after diving Recurrent middle-ear barotrauma Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms Pain or pressure forcing aborted dives Nose & Sinus Concerns Sinus pressure or “sinus squeeze.” Facial pressure during descent or ascent Chronic nasal congestion before traveling Allergies or rhinitis affecting diving Chronic sinusitis or recurrent infections Nasal obstruction (septum, turbinates, valve issues) Questions about diving after procedures When Should You Avoid Diving? Do not dive if you are experiencing: Active ear infection or significant ear pain Sudden hearing loss Vertigo or severe dizziness Significant sinus infection or fever Ear drainage Recent ENT surgery without guidance Inability to equalize What Happens During an ENT Evaluation? Ear & Hearing Assessment Ear exam and eardrum evaluation Hearing test if needed Nose & Sinus Evaluation Nasal and sinus exam Nasal endoscopy when appropriate CT sinus imaging when clinically necessary Personalized Guidance Review of history, prior surgery and barotrauma Individualized return-to-dive recommendations What Treatment Options Are Available? Medical Management May Include: Nasal saline and topical therapies Allergy or rhinitis management Treatment of infection or inflammation Eustachian tube dysfunction management Sinusitis treatment Procedural Options May Include: Management of nasal obstruction Septum or turbinate evaluation Sinus procedures when needed Conservative dive restriction Follow-up testing when required Eustachian tube balloon dilation may be discussed for carefully selected adults with persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction when symptoms, exam findings, and testing support it. Can You Dive After ENT Surgery or Illness? Return-to-dive recommendations are individualized. Guidance depends on healing, current symptoms, exam findings and the risk of pressure-related injury. How Should You Prepare for Your Visit? Be ready to discuss: Where pressure or pain occurs When symptoms happen (descent, ascent or after diving) Whether one side is worse Equalization method used Prior barotrauma Hearing loss, tinnitus or dizziness Allergy or sinus history Prior ENT surgeries Upcoming dive travel Common Question: Why Does Ear Pain Occur While Diving? A pressure mismatch across the eardrum usually causes ear pain during diving. This often occurs when the Eustachian tube fails to open effectively. Contributing factors may include: Inflammation Congestion Allergies Infection Anatomy Technique Ready To Schedule an Evaluation? If equalization problems, ear pressure, sinus symptoms or congestion are interfering with your diving, an evaluation can help identify the cause and guide next steps. Take the first step toward a safer, more comfortable dive experience. Call Arizona Desert ENT at (623) 512-4199 for more information.