Why do my ears hurt when I dive?

Your ears hurt when you dive because the water pressure increases as you descend. The pressure outside your eardrum becomes greater than the pressure inside, which causes the eardrum to flex inward. That pressure difference is what creates the discomfort or pain. To fix it, you need to equalize by adding air to the middle ear through the Eustachian tubes. The most common method is to pinch your nose gently through your mask and blow lightly through it while keeping your mouth closed.

By Tyler AllisonUpdated December 6, 2025

If you do not equalize early and often, the pain will increase quickly. Forcing it can cause injury to the eardrum or inner ear. Always start equalizing before you feel discomfort, and continue doing it every few feet on descent. If the pain does not go away, stop, ascend a little, and try again. Some divers also find that swallowing or wiggling their jaw helps the air move more easily.

I have had dives where my ears simply would not clear. It is frustrating, but pushing through it is not worth the risk. Your ears are delicate, and injuries take a long time to heal. If your ears hurt while diving, the correct response is to stop and fix the problem, not to fight through it.