Clogged Eustachian Tube in Ear

[Fordiesel69]

Was wondering if any of you have had this condition, and how your progress went.

I saw an ENT specialist as a result of sudden hearing loss in one ear, and what felt like an ear full of water. They confirmed thru testing the ear drum is not moving as it should becuase their is fluid inside the inner ear. They are starting me on a steroid, then if that is not successful in allowing the fluid to drain, they will install a "tube" in the ear drum. This does not sound good. I have also read that there is a "balloon Eustacian Tuboplasty" where they go in thru your noise and inflate a ballon for 2 minutes to open up the tube and allow drainage, but they didnt seem to acknowledge this as an option.

Was curious of real world opinions. To be clear not looking for medical advice which is normally in violation of most forums. Just looking for overall opinions and how your condition progressed until a resolution was found.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I have had a tube in my left ear for nearly 15 years. Originally the thought process was that it could be taken out and everything would be normal after the pressure relief. Turned out not so, so I have a tube inserted meant for long time use. I am checked by an ENT every five months to make sure everything is OK. The issue remains that the tube allows for the inside and outside pressure to equalize as needed. This does not appear to be the same as your issue, but thought that this info would be helpful to you. I would try the tube first and then discuss with ENT other options if it doesn't work out.

My tube procedure was not a big deal each time it has had to be done. I think two small cuts are done and then the tube inserted, all under the use of a microscope.

 

[ripcord]

I got tubes put in my ears as a little kid due to recurring ear infections. Apparently, they are way less likely to do the tubes these days. I had to refrain from submerging my head in water for a few years afterwards and I was given special ear plugs to use in the bath. I can't really say much more as I was pretty young and don't remember all that much.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Did any hearing loss occur as a result of the tube being place in the ear drum? Or did it change how you hear things like lower or higher octaves? I feel that I have excellent hearing overall, and am nervous if an inscision is placed in the ear drum it will stucturally change the shape of it when it heals.

 

[ripcord]

Not for me, but I did not have the blockage you do.

 

[ecotourist]

Having a tube put in the eardrum is quite common for children (because their Eustachian tubes are blocked due to their small size, allergies, minor infections, etc.) They have to avoid getting water in their external ear while the tubes are in place. These tubes eventually fall out and the eardrum seals over - for children anyway.

 

[Kira]

Medical people are known for not "continuing a conversation" when any patient asks a pregnant question. This will go double if they know they're not as proficient at something as the office down the street.

After hearing about an application which fortifies tooth enamel, a pal had to go to 3 dental offices before anybody in a white jacket even acknowledged it existed. He got his kids teeth coated and all 3 have never had a cavity.

My dad had a common throat infection which caused things to close up.
Whilst clearing that up (antibiotics?) his tube(s) would occasionally drain foul fluid into his throat. He said it was disgusting.

How a steroid can help drain something (aside from elevating swelling) is something I do not know.

 

[loneryder]

Bob is The Ear Guy

 

[Jetronic]

Was wondering if any of you have had this condition, and how your progress went.

I saw an ENT specialist as a result of sudden hearing loss in one ear, and what felt like an ear full of water. They confirmed thru testing the ear drum is not moving as it should becuase their is fluid inside the inner ear. They are starting me on a steroid, then if that is not successful in allowing the fluid to drain, they will install a "tube" in the ear drum. This does not sound good. I have also read that there is a "balloon Eustacian Tuboplasty" where they go in thru your noise and inflate a ballon for 2 minutes to open up the tube and allow drainage, but they didnt seem to acknowledge this as an option.

Was curious of real world opinions. To be clear not looking for medical advice which is normally in violation of most forums. Just looking for overall opinions and how your condition progressed until a resolution was found.

had tubes installed as a smal kid. They come out again after a while by themselves. instant relief, I had pain induced by noises.

 

[Fordiesel69]

So the steroid is supposed to lower the inflammation in the Eustacian tube and allow it to drain the fluid. Internet articles are back and fourth how effective it is, but this practice is seemingly used as a first step.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Did any hearing loss occur as a result of the tube being place in the ear drum? Or did it change how you hear things like lower or higher octaves? I feel that I have excellent hearing overall, and am nervous if an inscision is placed in the ear drum it will stucturally change the shape of it when it heals.

I already had bilateral hearing loss, so I noticed no change as a result of the tube. I had an ear infection so I also got antibiotics to deal with it also.

The audiologist noted an improvement in equalizing pressure after the tube was placed in, and later she saw an increase in pressure when the first tube was taken out and the incision allowed to heal. That situation got me to where I am today. These incisions are very small and did not structurally change anything in my ear canal.

 

[vavavroom]

Don't set your hair on fire when using ear candles. I'm sure someone will recommend candling.

 

[vavavroom]

As a surfer I get the occasional inner ear problem but I have avoided getting the dreaded 'surfer's ear.' That's a permanent narrowing of the ear canal due to chronic inflammation and infection caused by frequent exposure to cold and bacteri-laden water and wind. So far I have been successful in preventing ear and sinus problems from becoming chronic. I do take preventive measures that address inflammation and congestion.

 

[Fordiesel69]

vavavroom, would you care to share what preventative measures you take?

 

[xspeedy]

I had to deal with this years ago when I was sick on a trip, flew that way, and wound up with fluid in my middle ear (Otitis Media). The fluid that stagnates causes an infection and so that infection needs to be cleared up with antibiotics. If it is something that just happened, you can do a few things yourself to help - one is to get some Afrin and snort that high up into the nasal passages to open up the Eustachian Tube. You can also take antihistamine and decongestant to help drain out anything that might be up there. The fluid behind the drum is putting pressure on the drum which is why you feel the way you do. The tubes are more for people that have recurring infections. Definitely avoid major elevation changes or flying until you can clear things up. It hurts like hell and can even rupture the ear drum.

 

[Oillover]

getting off processed foods (or at least substantially reducing them) was my resolution.
Especially sugar.

But hey, I'm not a qualified doctor, so I can't tell you what you to do.

 

[SShooterZ]

I've had blocked eustachian tubes since I was a child. Several doctors have said it was a genetic issue and my son suffered the same early on in his life. He grew out of it, I, unfortunately, did not. I've had probably a dozen+ surgeries on my right ear because of it.

First - Get the tubes, get the fluid out, and get some of your hearing back. Left untreated, you can form a cholesteatoma (benign cyst) right behind your eardrum that will eventually leak enzymes that start to erode the inner ear and ear canal. It takes quite a while for this to form, but why risk it? You'll know when you start getting bloody-waxy drainage out of your ear. You'll then undergo a mastoidectomy where they'll drill a hole in your skull, behind your ear, to get to the cyst and remove it. I had one form and the surgery was about 7 hours. Sounds like fun right? Yeah, get the tube put in. You will lose some low-frequency hearing (aka bass) temporarily but once the tube falls out, and the eardrum stabilizes, you should be back to new.

Second - Decongestants can help. If you are congested, either due to cold or allergies, it can cause the problem you're having. See if you can be congestion-free for a few days and if that helps. Most OTC options are pretty good these days.

Third - Do NOT do any of that candle wax crap. Absolutely useless. I would also caution against home remedies. Sure, not every ENT is the best ever, but I've been to several specialists over the years and any of the home remedy or OTC treatments have always been frowned upon. Mainly because adding an unknown to an already unstable condition can alter and or block treatment and not only NOT fix the problem, but make it worse.

Fourth - Keep your ear dry. Shower/faucet water is usually clean enough that it won't bother one way or the other. Lake/sea/pond water on the other hand, keep it out if you can. If you do get some in your ear, a few drops of alcohol in the ear canal will usually kill any bacteria in the water as well as cause the water to dry out. Don't do this regularly though as it will dry the air canal to a point where you'll get something similar to dry skin in the canal which can lead to dead cells gathering around the eardrum and/or uncomfortable itching.

If you're unsure, get a second opinion with another ENT. Never a bad choice and may provide you piece of mind. I wouldn't be too worried about the tubes though. Quick operation, not a lot of pain and they remedy themselves usually.

 

[vavavroom]

vavavroom, would you care to share what preventative measures you take?

When surfing in windy or very cold conditions I wear earplugs.
I avoid walking around with wet ears when it's windy.
aAfter getting out of the water, I irrigate my ear canals with sterile saline to flush out bacteria and other irritants that are in seawater.
If I feel an ear infection coming on, I irrigate with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution three times a day.
If I get a stuffy nose or if my sinuses act up I use a decongestant to prevent sinus and inner ear complications. That's only a short-term solution for a few days due to the rebound effect becoming a problem.
If I had allergies I would use a mast cell stabilizer like cromolyn sodium or if necessary Loratidine (non-drowsy antihistamine) orally.

 

[nthach]

When surfing in windy or very cold conditions I wear earplugs.
I avoid walking around with wet ears when it's windy.
aAfter getting out of the water, I irrigate my ear canals with sterile saline to flush out bacteria and other irritants that are in seawater.
If I feel an ear infection coming on, I irrigate with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution three times a day.
If I get a stuffy nose or if my sinuses act up I use a decongestant to prevent sinus and inner ear complications. That's only a short-term solution for a few days due to the rebound effect becoming a problem.
If I had allergies I would use a mast cell stabilizer like cromolym sodium or if necessary Loaratidine orally.

I’m a scuba diver, and have some of the same issues you have. Fexofenadine(Allegra) and Flonase are life savers to keep sinus and eustachian tube drama in check. Nasal rinses also help.

 

[volk06]

I have to put a few drops of olive oil into my ears during the winter as they get dry and causes clogs. Olive oil helps sooth and keeps things moving. A couple drop of olive oil might help get the clog moving. I use Earol.