Dysfunctional Eustachian Tube ???

[Downer]

Hi, 5-6 months back, I started to feel pressure in my ears. At the time I was listening for 2 hours a day with the cans and iems. I was concerned and went to the doctor right away and my doctor said my Eustachian tubes were not functioning properly due to allergies. I was relieved that it was the cans and used the nose spray that he had given and did not used cans or iems for a week or so, yet this treatment did not help. So I have decided to see another doctor after a month and this one simply said I have Eustachian tube dysfunction and headphones were making it worse yet he told me I can listen to the cans in moderate levels for an hour per day.

Now, I listen only 3-4 hours a week and even after 3 minutes listening, my ears gets stuffed and I feel like I am at 10.000 feet in F-16. And even if I don't listen for weeks, I still feel the pressure and pain in my ears time to time. I am still not sure about what my problem is. Is it allergies some other disorder or simply cans so Does anybody experience a similar disorder/discomfort and if so how do you deal with it expect for avoiding from the headphones ???

Sorry to bother you guys with a boring story yet this thing really puts me down since I love listening thru headphones... Thanks...

 

[Cool_Torpedo]

The cans have nothing to do in your ET problem. You just need to get a proper treatment for your allergy.

Rgrds

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'd see another doctor.

 

[StudioAce]

I have got a sinus infection at the moment and am having some problems with my tubes also. We have been playing outdoors for a couple weeks during the Dallas Stars playoffs. My LiveWires seem to fit a little tighter when I first put them in, but that goes away after they get warmed up.

I have been using saline solution and zyrtec-D, along with Tylenol for fever.

I am drained of energy.

Best of Luck!

 

[Wotan1]

I experienced the same in one ear, beginning this year. It came together with tinnitus. It felt like the tube was blocked from time to time. The specialist told me it was some thing that people just imagine and it's not real. However going to the sauna helped most of the times to clear the tubes. Or was this also my imagination. I don't think so. I was thinking allergies as well.

Now it's gone. Irritated tubes can take a long time to heal/recover, but six month seems like a long time.

Did you see an ENT?

 

[Downer]

Thanks for all the responses. I am on my third ENT with this thing and I think I might never know the real reason for this. I am hoping I might get better in time. Anyone knows a good nose spray for allergies with no or less side effects ???

 

[Wotan1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for all the responses. I am on my third ENT with this thing and I think I might never know the real reason for this. I am hoping I might get better in time. Anyone knows a good nose spray for allergies with no or less side effects ???

I used Flexonase, but it's not against allergies, but for keeping your sinus clean and open. It did not help me.

 

[scompton]

Maybe you should go to an allergist instead of an ENT, although my ENT is both.

 

[Downer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wotan1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I used Flexonase, but it's not against allergies, but for keeping your sinus clean and open. It did not help me.

I have read your thread about tinnitus. I think we both suffer from the same thing(s). I do have a slight tinnitus on my left ear. I am just curious how do you deal with ETD ???

 

[-=Germania=-]

Yeah, that steriod spray is crap...assuming that is what you got.

I went through a similar stint a few years back ( in late high school). My left one was closing randomly.

Really, it have abolutely nothing to do with your headphones.

What worked for me was it was just really an ear infection. Took some antiboitics and ear drops. I still do ear drops in both of my ears once a week as a preventative measure (ear infections and the lot).

 

[Downer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Germania=- /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, that steriod spray is crap...assuming that is what you got. I went through a similar stint a few years back ( in late high school). My left one was closing randomly. Really, it have abolutely nothing to do with your headphones. What worked for me was it was just really an ear infection. Took some antiboitics and ear drops. I still do ear drops in both of my ears once a week as a preventative measure (ear infections and the lot).

I know it for sure that it is not ear infection. At least, my ENT says so.

 

[digihead]

I had a really crazy ear problem a few years ago where I thought I was losing my hearing. Constant pressure like you are in a plane descending and you're ears won't pop. Continuously tried to pop my ears by opening my jaw which apparently just made it worse. Tinnitus got way, way worse than normal for me as well. To the point where I really couldn't hear well at all, with my right ear being worse than my left.

I started to panic.

Went to an ENT who tested my hearing, said I had hearing loss (no kidding - I couldn't hear well at all, that is why I was there) gave me some spray and told me to come back in six months. If my hearing was worse in six months then he would figure out an alternate treatment. I lost it on the guy. Most ludicrous treatment plan I have ever heard.

Went to another ENT who did a cat scan, the whole nine yards. Thankfully no issues there.

Really it was a combination of things that had developed over time. I had allergies that were untreated. Sinus and ear infection that were tough to shake due to my daughter being in day care and bringing home every cold and cough known to man, etc.

The root of the problem turned out to be my estacia (spelling?) tubes just don't work well period. They were clogged up and weren't clearing. Wasn't letting air in as it should, etc.

I also learned that through constantly trying to pop my ears, my jaw had become swollen. I had a steroid shot and bingo that helped get me over the hump as the swelling in my jaw decreased.

So I got some allergy medicine. Started using Rhinocort (which helped me), and most importantly, and I'd recommend this to anyone in this situation...Mucinex. Its over the counter and it helps to thin the mucus so that your tubes will work better.

Now a comination of Rhinocort and Mucinex help get me through. I know when I'm starting to get a cold I can tell when my tubes are starting to get clogged, I bust out the Mucinex and the Rhinocort to do some preventitive measures before things get out of hand.

 

[Downer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by digihead /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had a really crazy ear problem a few years ago where I thought I was losing my hearing. Constant pressure like you are in a plane descending and you're ears won't pop. Continuously tried to pop my ears by opening my jaw which apparently just made it worse. Tinnitus got way, way worse than normal for me as well. To the point where I really couldn't hear well at all, with my right ear being worse than my left. I started to panic. Went to an ENT who tested my hearing, said I had hearing loss (no kidding - I couldn't hear well at all, that is why I was there) gave me some spray and told me to come back in six months. If my hearing was worse in six months then he would figure out an alternate treatment. I lost it on the guy. Most ludicrous treatment plan I have ever heard. Went to another ENT who did a cat scan, the whole nine yards. Thankfully no issues there. Really it was a combination of things that had developed over time. I had allergies that were untreated. Sinus and ear infection that were tough to shake due to my daughter being in day care and bringing home every cold and cough known to man, etc. The root of the problem turned out to be my estacia (spelling?) tubes just don't work well period. They were clogged up and weren't clearing. Wasn't letting air in as it should, etc. I also learned that through constantly trying to pop my ears, my jaw had become swollen. I had a steroid shot and bingo that helped get me over the hump as the swelling in my jaw decreased. So I got some allergy medicine. Started using Rhinocort (which helped me), and most importantly, and I'd recommend this to anyone in this situation...Mucinex. Its over the counter and it helps to thin the mucus so that your tubes will work better. Now a comination of Rhinocort and Mucinex help get me through. I know when I'm starting to get a cold I can tell when my tubes are starting to get clogged, I bust out the Mucinex and the Rhinocort to do some preventitive measures before things get out of hand.

Thanks for all the input.. I really appreciate it. Seems like you expreicened exactly the same thing I am going thru right now. One important question, did listening headphones make it worse for you ???

 

[Jelle Schrijver]

I have an other problem. It seems that my left Eustachian tube is not working properly. It causes an overpressure in my left ear and it is stretching my eardrum outwards. Strange enough it does not interfere with my listening much. Only that some days i hear on a lower volume on my left ear, which is annoying. The specialist in the hospital had no real solution but warned me that it is possible that my eardrum stretches so far, it will pull my hearing bones apart, and in doing so i would become deaf

This is one of the reasons why i am looking into the Neurophone, because it bypasses the complete ear and sends it's music (almost) straight to your brain. So ear problems would not effect the listening experience. But i have no experiences yet and the device is way overpriced over here in Europe just to buy one to experience it.

Also, you could try the EFT techniques to ease your problems. Looks strange, but i have positive experiences on using it on physical illnesses.

 

[-=Germania=-]

Don't worry too much about the bones - I recently got an all new set in my left ear!...covered mostly by insurance no less. If there is nothing thats can be done, don't worry so much.