Boy Jim, that sounds like a bear...

Yes, it's unquestionably painful to have your eardrum cut open, even with a dab of Lydocaine or whatever they use. I expect the tubal insertion will be even more, er, uncomfortable. My doc told me "I think you can tolerate it." Easy for him!

Think you misread my comment there at the end, It was "diving", not "driving". I used to scuba in my wasted youth, haven't done it lately but always promised myself I'd get back to it. But I have a feeling that too is part of the past!

Thanks for responding again.
D