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ETD
Can the popping sound I hear when I swallow be something other than ETD? My doctor has me on decongestants and I feel better for a while, there is even a dripping sensation in my ears, but the popping comes back. If the dripping were the fluid backup, why does it come back? I had a mild case of tinnitus, stupidly went to a concert, and soon afterward developed this popping noise when I swallow. I was told this was a coincidence, but am finding it harder and harder to believe. I went to the ER first and was put on an antihistimine, which your forum said was not advisable for fluid in the ears, but my primary doctor, who I saw 3 days later, put me on the decongestants to dry up the fluid as he put it. I hate to keep asking the same questions, but everywhere I turn I get different advice. It is very confusing. Is there a specific test I should ask for?
I know I keep asking you questions, but after my last ENT appointment I am more confused than ever. He tried to pop my ears but was successful only with the right one. I thought this corrected the retraction, but the congestion comes right back. You said ear tubes were 100% effective. Will they correct the retraction? Am afraid the ringing will be unbearable as the more clogged my ears the less noticeable the ringing.
My doctor said the retraction could be as a result of the loud music and they are pushed in so slightly he wonders why it bothers me so much. Is it normal to have retracted ears? He said the right ear was worse this time, left ear the first time. He could run a test today and the left ear could be worse again. This doesn't sound right to me.
Also, is it common with ETD to have pressure from the nose across the face into the ears?
What is going on? This can't be blamed on noise damage, can it?
How long do I have to be patient for until it is clear something more aggressive needs to be done? He put me on a steroid dose pack and sent me for allergy tests.
It's been two months and many doctor's visits with no results. I know you said this takes a long time to resolve but this is ridiculous. I've had tinnitus and enlarged turbinates, I know what they feel like and this isn't it.
Please reply at your convenience.
My doctor said the retraction could be as a result of the loud music and they are pushed in so slightly he wonders why it bothers me so much. Is it normal to have retracted ears? He said the right ear was worse this time, left ear the first time. He could run a test today and the left ear could be worse again. This doesn't sound right to me.
Also, is it common with ETD to have pressure from the nose across the face into the ears?
What is going on? This can't be blamed on noise damage, can it?
How long do I have to be patient for until it is clear something more aggressive needs to be done? He put me on a steroid dose pack and sent me for allergy tests.
It's been two months and many doctor's visits with no results. I know you said this takes a long time to resolve but this is ridiculous. I've had tinnitus and enlarged turbinates, I know what they feel like and this isn't it.
Please reply at your convenience.
I have another appointment with my ENT on Thursday to address these new/worsening symptoms can you suggest anything my doctor needs to know. I've explained how I feel yet he seems to think it will go away on it's own. It's not. Do allergies/sinus problems explain everything that is going on? Should I insist on any particular test or possible diagnosis?
I appreciate all the advice you've given me so far. Thank you.
I appreciate all the advice you've given me so far. Thank you.
I know I've asked you this before, but are you sure there is no connection between my ear popping and the loud music from the concert. It's been over a month and the tinnitus gets better and worse. Every doctor I've seen rejects this connection but how come the popping and ringing are better when my ears feel clogged or underwater? If the ETD was causing the tinnitus to worsen shouldn't it be the other way around? Will allergy or sinus tests do any good? I think my ears are protecting themselves from further damage - then when they clear the tinnitus comes back.
I fear this is permanent. Please tell me there is some treatment to at least reduce the tinnitus to a tolerable level. I am unable to enjoy listening to music even at a much reduced volume, unable to sleep or concentrate at work either.
I fear this is permanent. Please tell me there is some treatment to at least reduce the tinnitus to a tolerable level. I am unable to enjoy listening to music even at a much reduced volume, unable to sleep or concentrate at work either.
OK, Brian, good info from the specialist.
Your ear drum being "pushed in" slightly is most likely secondary to eustachian tube dysfunction. While this is most commonly a self-limited, benign condition, we don't yet have any good medicines to address this. Things like decongestants and antihistamines have not been shown to have any effect. You can try gently forcing some air into the tube yourself at home (google 'politzer maneuver'), but even this has limited effectiveness. Generally these things will correct themselves with time. Ear tubes are 100% successful at correcting the problem as it affects the ear, but the tube itself remains unchanged.
The Flonase is for your turbinates and allergic rhinitis. There could be a theoretically positive effect of this on your eustachian tubes, but again, this hasn't been shown.
I believe that people can have subtle drops in hearing -- that still may register as in the "normal" range -- and have tinnitus from that. Just speculation. We basically never do anything like CT or MRI or any other specialized testing with regards to tinnitus unless it is unilateral or pulsatile.
The muscles that operate the eustachian tube are not in the middle ear (where the stapedius muscle is -- this is something different). Your questions about the eustachian tube and its musculature are good, but unfortunately, have no good answers yet...
Your ear drum being "pushed in" slightly is most likely secondary to eustachian tube dysfunction. While this is most commonly a self-limited, benign condition, we don't yet have any good medicines to address this. Things like decongestants and antihistamines have not been shown to have any effect. You can try gently forcing some air into the tube yourself at home (google 'politzer maneuver'), but even this has limited effectiveness. Generally these things will correct themselves with time. Ear tubes are 100% successful at correcting the problem as it affects the ear, but the tube itself remains unchanged.
The Flonase is for your turbinates and allergic rhinitis. There could be a theoretically positive effect of this on your eustachian tubes, but again, this hasn't been shown.
I believe that people can have subtle drops in hearing -- that still may register as in the "normal" range -- and have tinnitus from that. Just speculation. We basically never do anything like CT or MRI or any other specialized testing with regards to tinnitus unless it is unilateral or pulsatile.
The muscles that operate the eustachian tube are not in the middle ear (where the stapedius muscle is -- this is something different). Your questions about the eustachian tube and its musculature are good, but unfortunately, have no good answers yet...
Have not heard back from you, I know you must be busy, but just wanted to know if there were something else I could do to relieve these symptoms. Are there any imaging tests that monitor the eustachian tubes or the muscles that control them as I swallow? Would a physical exam show any type of infection? I don't want to wait too long to have this addressed. Thank you again for your time.
Saw a specialist last week. We talked about my symptoms, he took a medical history, did a physical exam, then had me undergo a hearing test.
I took an Audiometry Evaluation, Tympanometry, Accoustic Reflex Testing, and Accoustic Reflex Decay Test. He said my hearing was normal (which was a great relief). He did say my left ear was "pushed in" slightly like on an airplane (never been on a plane in my life). Will this correct itself or is there anything I can do at home? He also said my turbinates were inflamed or swollen. Under diagnosis he has Allergic Rhinitis, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, Inf. Turbinates, and Tinnitus, which I told him about.
He took me off the decongestants and gave me Flonase nasal spray. Will this have any effect on my ears popping?
He said if my condition persists to come back in a few months and he will go from there. Worst case: Ear Tubes. What is the success rate of that? I am trying to stay patient and optimistic, but I never get a full night's sleep since this all started over a month ago. I feel like no one is connecting the dots with my tinnitus and the concert I went to and the ears popping. Is there any test (CT, MRI, etc) I ask for in the meantime? Why do I feel better when my ears are clogged? The popping is less often and the tinnitus seems better. Isn't there a condition where the muscle controlling the Eustachian Tube spasms shut to protect the eardrum. Stapedial Myoclonus I believe it's called. Is there any test for this?
Sorry to be so long-winded, I just wanted you to have all the facts.
I took an Audiometry Evaluation, Tympanometry, Accoustic Reflex Testing, and Accoustic Reflex Decay Test. He said my hearing was normal (which was a great relief). He did say my left ear was "pushed in" slightly like on an airplane (never been on a plane in my life). Will this correct itself or is there anything I can do at home? He also said my turbinates were inflamed or swollen. Under diagnosis he has Allergic Rhinitis, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, Inf. Turbinates, and Tinnitus, which I told him about.
He took me off the decongestants and gave me Flonase nasal spray. Will this have any effect on my ears popping?
He said if my condition persists to come back in a few months and he will go from there. Worst case: Ear Tubes. What is the success rate of that? I am trying to stay patient and optimistic, but I never get a full night's sleep since this all started over a month ago. I feel like no one is connecting the dots with my tinnitus and the concert I went to and the ears popping. Is there any test (CT, MRI, etc) I ask for in the meantime? Why do I feel better when my ears are clogged? The popping is less often and the tinnitus seems better. Isn't there a condition where the muscle controlling the Eustachian Tube spasms shut to protect the eardrum. Stapedial Myoclonus I believe it's called. Is there any test for this?
Sorry to be so long-winded, I just wanted you to have all the facts.
Thanks for the feedback, Brian. I look forward to hearing about what the specialist has to say!
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Unfortunately, there is no one good test for this. Perhaps even calling popping sounds ETD is unfair. For some, they seem to have this sound more so than others, but everyone's 'pops' to some degree. At any rate, I wouldn't suggest popping any pills for it. The next time a doc advises you to do so, ask him or her for a research reference that supports their advice and watch them bumble about...