You've come to a good place if you ever wanted to equalize your ears. Toynbee is a safe way to equalize ears. It doesn't use the Valsalva maneuver as it is most commonly used. Instead, the technique involves gently sucking in/out of the mouth. You will feel a difference after swallowing.
Swallowing equalizes eustachian tubes
The eustachian canals are a set of passageways that connects your middle ear to the back of your nose, called the nasopharynx. They function to equalize air pressure in the middle ear by opening and closing. Swallowing and chewing allow air to flow through the tubes. The tubes can block the middle ear, which can lead to hearing loss.
A blocked eustachian tubes can cause discomfort and pain in the ears. In some cases, it may even lead to ear damage. The condition is usually temporary and can be treated with treatment for the underlying cause such as sinus infection or nasal congestion. Antibiotics and decongestants are available as treatment options. Some cases may require surgery in order to restore normal eustachian function.
Valsalva maneuver doesn't equalize ears
There are many ways to equalize your ears. One of these is the Valsalva maneuver. The maneuver involves pinching your nostrils while blowing through them. This creates excessive throat pressure, which pushes air through Eustachian tubes and open them. While Valsalva isn’t as effective at breathing through your nose, it can still be helpful.
Another technique to equalize your ears is the use of your nostrils to squeeze and blow air into your sinuses. This is the simplest way to equalize ears. Although this works well, avoid blowing too hard on your nose. It can cause more damage to your ears. Blowing your nose too hard can damage your ears' tissue and cause your round windows to burst.
Toynbee maneuver balances ears safely
Toynbee equalizes the pressure at the middle ear. Because the middle ear is a dead air space, it needs equalizing to match the outer and inner ear pressures. You can do this by gently pinching your nose and swallowing. This can help reduce the pain that is caused by the middle ear pressure imbalance.
This maneuver is essential to be able to perform it correctly in order to prevent the Eustachian tubes from locking up. These tissues can close if you apply too much pressure. You should learn the Toynbee maneuver well.
Improper equalization symptoms
Proper equalization techniques are essential for free divers. Incorrect equalization techniques could lead to inner ear trauma. For example, Valsalva maneuvers that are too forceful can lead to the round window bursting. This happens when the eustachian tubs become blocked. As a result, the fluid expands, increasing pressure and rupturing the round windows. This is dangerous and needs immediate medical attention.
If you feel pain during equalization, stop immediately. It's important not to go too far because too much equalization can lock the Eustachian tubes. Instead, climb a few feet. If equalization remains painful, lower yourself again and do the same. If pain continues, use the Lowry technique, which combines the Valsalva maneuver with the Toynbee maneuver. You can also pinch the nose and swallow to equalize your ears.