much pressure when you do your valsalva... it takes a lot less force than you think, in fact, it's almost easy enough to relieve the pressure squeezing your nose and just thinking 'blow'.

As you improve in your diving, especially past 12 meters, you'll get where you can relieve the pressure by just moving your jaw around.

The key is that you know as you approach 6 meters, 12 meters, 18 meters, and 24 meters you'll need to clear the pressure, so like driving a car and exiting, you need to plan ahead, eliminate distractions, and start early to be successful.

I know that's a lot to ask when you are already excited, maybe a little scared, and you are sinking (or not sinking)... but that's how you avoid hurting your ears... and sometimes you do need to stop your decent and clear (word to the wise, stop below that point, because if you stop above you might reascend and then need to clear again.

Anyway, I know divers who have some tricky ears, but they still can clear, and they haven't busted an eardrum yet.