[gblades2]

I never use the valsalva method for equalising my ears as I am fortunate enough to be able to do it by directly activating the relevant muscle.
All my ascents were slow during the week and mostly 6-10M/min.
On the last day the ascents were particularly slow because of the crowded shot line and my computer did not go above 3M/min on the ascent.

I have made a scale of the feeling of pressure in the ear as you descent.

1. Minor pressure difference such as  ascending in a lift. May not be detectable by some people.
2. Airplane starting to descend and you feel the pressure after a couple of seconds.
3. Airplane starting to descend and you wait 5 seconds or so before clearing you ears and you hear a slight pop as you clear your ears.
4. Can feel a larger pressure difference beginning to become slightly uncomfortable.
5. Pressure difference beginning to cause pain.
6. Pain in the ears.
7. Severe pain/burst ear drum.

I would say my descents were 2-3 on the scale.