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POPPING AND PRESSURE
Has anybody had the following symptoms: ear popping when I swallow for over a month now which my ENT says is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Recently there is an increased pressure in my ears extending back to under my ears, which I take to be sinus trouble. Could these cause my tinnitus to worsen? I've had mild ringing in my ears for a long time due to noise damage. All these symptoms occurred after a concert. Shouldn't I be able to enjoy some live music? My ENT is not making the connection, instead treating everything separately, isn't it more likely they come from one cause. It seems to actually be less noticeable when my ears feel the most clogged - isn't that the opposite of what should happen? I'm afraid that if they put in ear tubes or unclog my ears the ringing will be worse.
Also, I'm wondering if this pressure can cause sound sensitivity. Routine sounds, traffic, bus brakes, water faucets seem extra loud. I've turned the volume down on everything: tv, radio, and given up headphones. Hoping it will fade with time.
Also, I'm wondering if this pressure can cause sound sensitivity. Routine sounds, traffic, bus brakes, water faucets seem extra loud. I've turned the volume down on everything: tv, radio, and given up headphones. Hoping it will fade with time.
Thank you for sharing your comments with me. My ENT has me on Flonase and suggested ear tubes as a last resort. I can accept living with the ringing if I can get rid of these other symptoms, the congestion, the "wet" ears and the sound sensitivity. Glad to know I am not alone and I hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel for you as well.
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What treatments has your ENT given you for the ETD? Steroids? Afrin protocol (3 day rotations of using twice a day and not using it)? Allergy treatment? That really does help with the fullness and congestion.
Unfortunately since you exposed yourself to loud music, and caused damage to your ear, the rining is most likely permanent and unrelated to your other symptoms. It can be affected by the other symptoms in small ways. I know my ringing is "quieter" when my ears are more congested.
I will say that my ENT is baffled by the ringing in my ears since I have no hearing loss at all and he says that the ETD should not cause the ringing. Since the ringing started with the flight, he assumes that there is some kind of damage he cannot identify by non-invasive means.
You are probably in the same situation I was in - tubes could go either way in helping or making things worse. My ENT was VERY non-commital about putting them in for this reason. He finally suggested we try one tube, which we did and I LOVE it. I would do the other one as well, but my allergies have improved some so that the annoying symptoms are not as prevelent. Also, I am highly resistent to local anesthetics, so the procedure was not pleasant. I would chose the 5 minutes of pain to get rid of the constant symptoms I had before though. We are currently watching for the symptoms to resurface and will put a tube in the second ear if they become bothersome again.
One thing my ENT did say is that the tubes can be removed. So if you have them done and don't like the results, have it removed. He said that he removes about 50% of tubes he puts in adults. Another options would be to do what I did and only have one tube done to see if it helps.
Summary: 1) Tinitis and ETD are generally not related they are separate conditions, however congestion can either make it worse or muffle it. 2) Tubes will not make your ringing worse, but they probably won't improve it either. 3) Not addressed above, but I experienced the same thing when my ETD was at it worst. Every sound was magnified and annoying. As the ETD is effectively treated, that symptom should improve as well.
I hope that I have helped you.