Not a sinus infection or tube blockage

[mmkj]

For 6 months now I've had a problem that at first was treated as a sinus infection (antibiotics, sinus pills, CT scan), but that is not the problem. Three weeks ago I got tympanostomy tubes inserted thinking it was an ear tube blockage. The ENT said if that was the case then the tubes should have been working by now, but it's even worse.

I have loud ringing (which has got worse since the tube insertion) and a great deal of pressure in my head. Before the tube insertion I was popping my ears every 15 minutes or so, but now can't pop them at all. Both symptoms are 24 hours a day and never lessen. My ENT now seems stumped and says it musn't be in his area. I've had sinus infections before that cleared up no problem with mild antibiotics. I'm now left with being told in the next month if it doesn't get better with the tubes, then that's about all this dr can offer. I'm going crazy with the pressure and noise and don't know how much longer I can stand it.

Looking for any possible directions with this. Greatly appreciated.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

The fact that you can not pop your ears makes logical sense, and it also indicates your tubes are open and functioning correctly.

The fact that your Tinnitus has gotten worse also does make "some" sense, but the continues sensation of pressure etc does not...  that is unless you have a sensori neural hearing loss. (SNHL) Some folks that have a fairly rapid SNHL will state that they feel pressure, when the reality is, they feel hearing impaired.

I certainly hope you had your hearing tested before the tubes were placed. If not your ENT is plum dumb.

[redbluedisc]

You need to see a neuro-otologist, not an ENT. A neuro-otologist is a specialist for just the ears so they are more specific to your situation and will know much more. An ENT is more generalized.