I didn’t really know how to title this but hopefully I will be able to explain it. 9 times out of ten after I get off the bike and start on the run everything goes really silent. Or maybe not silent but everything sounds odd. It feels and sounds like I am can’t equalize my ear, as if I was on an airplane. I was wondering if this happens to anyone else or if it is something I should worry about. It never has hurt but it is very weird. I don’t know if it is an equalization problem or not. I do scuba dive and have never had a hard time equalizing the pressure while diving. Anyone got a guess or comment on how to avoid or do I just need to suck it up and deal with it.
Dude-
That happens all the time if you ride with your mouth open while wearing an aero helmet. The pressure differential can reach up to 5 atmospheres! I even heard of one guy who ruptured both eardrums during a fast downhill.
It’s easy to fix, though. You just need to breathe through your nose and drill holes in the earflaps of your helmet.
Good luck and be careful out there.
no aero helmet but I will try breathing through my nose, but if it is a pool swim can’t do this. I am “highly sensitive” to chlorine and will sneeze for the next 2-3 hours. Needless to say I try avoid those races at all costs.
Ummm…
Actually, that last post was sarcastic.
Here’s some real advice:
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You may still have water in your ears from the swim. Try silicone ear plugs when swimming. (Remove them in T1.)
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You might just get used to the wind noise on the bike, so when you slow down to run pace, it seems really quiet.
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If you’re getting plugged up from the Chlorine, try taking a Claritin before the race.
-Mike
No their is an actual pressure difference because once it through me off balance. As far as the claritin I tried it and it failed. Ironic part was I was a year-round swimmer for 15 years and was able to deal with it until I started triathlons and realized that you can exercise without sneezing and it was great. I also know what it is like to have water in your ears and it is not water, but thanks for the help, it is much appreciated.
You got incorrect advice. Amphetamines increase performance, not ecstasy.