Divers with healed ear injuries may face hidden risks at depth

This study looks at how nitrogen narcosis (a sleepy, dizzy feeling divers get at depth) affects hand-eye coordination, balance, and eye movements. Researchers will compare 20 healthy divers with 20 divers who previously had an inner ear decompression sickness. Participants perform tasks in a pressure chamber at the surface and at a simulated depth of 40 meters. The goal is to see if past ear injury makes divers more prone to balance problems under narcosis, helping guide safer return-to-diving advice.