Ear T-tubes in an adult

[metacarpalhell]

I must be one of only a few people in the world with this question, because there is almost zero information on the web about it.  I have had eustachian tube disfunction for most of my adult life.  I had the simple PE tubes put in a few years ago and did pretty well with them but they fell out in 6 months.  Now, I am unemployed and finding myself severely limited in my job prospects because almost every job I apply for requires travel, which I cannot do because of my ETD.  I saw an ENT yesterday and he recommended that I get t-tubes, which require an outpatient procedure where they put you out for about 30 minutes and insert semi-permanent tubes.  

I am a bit nervous about doing it because of the size of the tube and the cost (out of pocket without insurance).  He said he has done a lot of these procedures on adults, including pilots and flight attendants.  But I cannot find anybody on the web who has had it done.  Is there anyone out there that has had this surgery as an adult and can comment on the experience?  I am very hesitant to get something done to my ears when there is hardly any information on it available.

[susie197702]

My ENT said my left ear tube was block and on ear drops to help unclogg,but  my CT scan show a thickening of the left tympanic membrane which could mean a infection! don't know what to do now. I am trying to get a appointment with him as soon as possible to see now if I should be on a different treatment plan. Nothing but trouble with these tubes.

[susie197702]

I know what you mean feeling alone with this problem  with ear tubes in adults. I had ear tubes put in last year and for me I feel was a big mistake! the only think that helped me was wearing my hearing aids. My hearing did decrease from what it was before,which was not so normal then either,I had fluid behind both ear drums, I  waited a 2 months for it to clear,left ear was clearing up but right was not,so ENT said lets  do ear tubes both ears,could not hear much of anything right after then started to hear a little better,but hearing others was like they were under water,my voice sounded like I was under water,T.V. the same,I did go into a depression for a while and having big regrets on having the ear tubes put in,the other thing that help me was being able to put back in my hearing aids or I would have gone insane! will have them out this month,ENT said lets take them out!sorry this message was so long,but in short I would not if I was you have them put in,to much trouble and not worth it,

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. The surgery is safe, and the risk associated with this procedure is minimal, as the surgery is quick. “T-tubes" last for nearly 10 years and the success rate is about around 70% for Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.