Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Hearing Problems Following Myringotomy Surgery

Had tubes placed in both eardrums two weeks ago.  My hearing is better but now things sound like I'm in a barrel when hearing myself as well as hearing others talk.  It's an odd echo-like sound.  I can still hear fluid in one ear when getting out of bed.  Also, ringing in my ears seems more noticeable since the surgery.  My post op checkup was today.  My ENT surgeon states that the tubes and eardrum look normal.  He has scheduled a hearing test.

Will my symptoms slowly improve, or is this as good as it gets?
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
It has been 9 months since my ear tubes were put in,I still have a echo in my voice,when I wear my hearing aids I do not hear the echo,only when I do not wear the aids I hear the echo,why is that?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Please someone answer my question,I need to know if I should takes these things out!
Avatar universal
I had my right ear done a year ago and I suddenly have the exact same problem! I thought at first that somehow I got water in through the tube.from..... well I assumed the shower since I've not been swimming. As of 2 days.ago completely blocked again and again the pain in my ear and around my eye.
background. had both ears done because of glue ear at 3 years old. then again at 27 because of NEVER NEVER being able to get my ears to pop and my commute to work involved flying which at times was s unbearable my eye would water like I was crying. at 30 got it again in my right ear after I was again flying and often travelling up and over a mountain highway. well here I am with the tube that was supposed to last 4 years. the pain in my right eye and right side of my head is there and at times unbearable.
need to call my ENT. so bad the other night I considered going to the ER and generally I can tolerate pain no provlem
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The middle ear is basically a closed cavity ventilated by the Eustachian Tube. This tube supplies air to the middle ear from the nasopharynx (the part where the back of the nose turns downwards to join the oral cavity). The entire middle ear cavity as well as the Eustachian tube has a mucosal lining consisting of ciliated columnar/cuboidal epithelium - tightly packed cells which have a hair like structure to move secretions from the middle ear towards the nasopharynx where it eventually gets swallowed. This ciliary action works best when there is only a small amount of secretion to transport.
In some cases due to structural defects or disease the Eustachian tube may not be able to perform its functions efficiently. Then, it will not be able to fill air into the middle ear. This will result in secretions collecting inside the middle ear, the ciliary transport of secretions will reduce in efficiency and ultimately stop altogether.
This results in Glue Ear (Also known as OME).
{ http://enthelp.com/what-is-glue-ear/ }
When the surgeon makes a hole in the tympanic membrane, he initially removes the secretions through the initial opening. Thereafter he places a tube in the opening. This tube prevents the hole from healing and allows two way communication through the tympanic membrane.
Initially, it was thought that the tube functioned by allowing secretions to continue draining. Later studies have confirmed that the tube helps healing not by allowing fluid out but rather by allowing air in.
Once air enters the middle ear, the negative cycle gets broken, the ciliary transport revives and the mucosa comes back to normal.
In the initial stages, there may still be secretions reaccumulating within the ear from time to time, leading to your hearing the fluid swish as well as the echo of your voice within the ear (due to better bone conduction). Rest assured that over the next few weeks, this will reduce.
Sometimes of course, the tube could be blocked by clotted blood / especially thick secretions. I am assuming that you are visiting your surgeon on the appointed dates - if there is any such blockage he can easily clear the block by suction etc.
The surgeon will generally not need to go back into the ear, nor does he need to remove excess fluid through the tube. Once aeration of the middle ear has been re established, the ear will heal itself.
Pay no attention to the tinnitus, it isn't important. If it troubles you (and it may do so, especially  at night!) read a book, put on some light music...basically get your mind off the tinnitus and into something else. You may want to research tinnitus retraining therapy - TRT elsewhere on the internet. (http://assets.cambridge.org/97805215/92567/frontmatter/9780521592567_frontmatter.pdf)
Hope this was helpful and I didnt bog you down with too much detail!
Get well soon!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
So,what you are saying then when my tubes fall out my hearing should be better? my voice will be out of my head when I talk and I will hear my normal voice again?
Avatar universal
Thanks for the response.  I thought the surgeon removed the fluid during the procedure.  However,since I can still hear fluid swishing in my right ear and the fact that sounds echo now, you must be right.  The tinnitus has been noticeable for many years, but I can mentally block it out.  However, it is a bit louder since the surgery.

Can the surgeon go back in my ear and directly remove the excess fluid through the tube, or must it "evaporate" or be reabsorbed over time??
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
My understanding also was that the tubes were placed to drain the fluid and my hearing would come back to normal even though normal was not good,but was better then it is now.
Avatar universal
What you've had is called a Myringotomy. It's a proceedure in which the surgeon makes an opening in the ear drum to drain the fluid which has collected  within the middle ear due to deficient functioning of the eustachian tube. A grommet (tube) is then placed within the opening to keep it patent as well as to allow air to enter the middle ear. The tube does not remove the fluid from the middle ear, it just allows air to enter and makes it more likely that the middle ear lining will come back to normal and stop secreting fluid.

Naturally, that will take time.

You can hasten the healing process by chewing gum ( 20 - 30 min thrice a day should suffice) or blowing up balloons.

Generally, the healing process takes anywhere from two weeks to two to three months.
Once the ear heals, the tubes will gradually get extruded on their own. They seldom require removal.
The ringing sound you hear is called tinnitus.
It's a response of the inner ear/ mind to the change in your hearing condition.
This will gradually go away on its own. Don't get overly bothered by it - it's like a bad thought/dream...if you keep thinking of it or monitoring it..it will get worse!
I'm sure your hearing test will confirm that your hearing has actually improved after your sugery. And you will get better... trust your doctor and trust in God!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
This hs been a on going problem for me I had tubes put in back in Aug.2017 I do wear hearing aids and that has help me but when I take thm out,my voice sounds like it is in my head when I speake and hearing others is also like they are under water when they talk. I feel I made a terrible mistake in doing this back in Aug. all the Dr's say everything looks find and i don't know what happen with your hearing!
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Ear, Nose & Throat Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
Discover the common causes of and treatments for a sore throat.
Learn about what actually causes your temperature to spike.
Find out which foods you should watch out for.
Family medicine doctor Enoch Choi, MD helps differentiate between the common cold and more threatening (bacterial) infections
Dr. Steven Park reveals 5 reasons why breathing through your nose could change your life