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Suggest Treatment For Dizziness And Clogged Ears
Question: I have had 4 episodes that cause dizziness, some cause fullness or clogged ear and ringing in ear. Below are the episodes in detail:
1. About a year and half ago on a business trip and leaned over to tie shoes and immediately had a dizzy feeling that lasted for 6 hours. Went to urgent care and the doctor said there was minor fluid in right ear and said use nose spray and mouthwash.
2. After a sinus cold about 2 weeks ago I was looking down in my car and immediately felt dizzy and my right ear clogged. I have confirmed there is not a wax issue. When I touch my right ear with my hand I have a muffled sound. Also this is the first time I remember a strong ringing in my right ear. This lasted for the remainder of the day and the ringing and dizziness subsided the next day but the right ear remained clogged for 5-7 days.
3. 3 Days ago I was very constipated and pushing hard to use the restroom, afterwards when I stood up I was very dizzy and the ringing in my ear was there along with the clogged ear feeling. The ringing and dizziness stopped the next morning but the clogged feeling in my right ear is still there. This prompted me to make an appointment with an ENT.
4. Today at the ENT the doctor was checking me over and said no wax or fluid, hearing test normal, use a puff of air test (not sure what this was called) and this caused no problem. So he said put me on a nose spray and antihistamine and schedule an MRI to rule out a tumor. This seems very drastic to me and wanted to get a second opinion. As I was leaving the office I decided to try and equalize the pressure by holding my nose, closing my mouth and blowing. I did this 3 times and afterwards the dizziness came back and the ringing in my ear... the clogged feeling is still there from the episode a few days ago.
I feel this is an inner ear problem and not as drastic as a tumor. I wanted to get a second opinion.
I wanted to mention the step I took in #4 to create the problem again. I was thinking if this was a tumor on the brain stem or something else, this voluntary action of holding my nose and blowing (while mouth closed) wouldn't cause the dizziness and ringing. But this is why I ask you :-)
1. About a year and half ago on a business trip and leaned over to tie shoes and immediately had a dizzy feeling that lasted for 6 hours. Went to urgent care and the doctor said there was minor fluid in right ear and said use nose spray and mouthwash.
2. After a sinus cold about 2 weeks ago I was looking down in my car and immediately felt dizzy and my right ear clogged. I have confirmed there is not a wax issue. When I touch my right ear with my hand I have a muffled sound. Also this is the first time I remember a strong ringing in my right ear. This lasted for the remainder of the day and the ringing and dizziness subsided the next day but the right ear remained clogged for 5-7 days.
3. 3 Days ago I was very constipated and pushing hard to use the restroom, afterwards when I stood up I was very dizzy and the ringing in my ear was there along with the clogged ear feeling. The ringing and dizziness stopped the next morning but the clogged feeling in my right ear is still there. This prompted me to make an appointment with an ENT.
4. Today at the ENT the doctor was checking me over and said no wax or fluid, hearing test normal, use a puff of air test (not sure what this was called) and this caused no problem. So he said put me on a nose spray and antihistamine and schedule an MRI to rule out a tumor. This seems very drastic to me and wanted to get a second opinion. As I was leaving the office I decided to try and equalize the pressure by holding my nose, closing my mouth and blowing. I did this 3 times and afterwards the dizziness came back and the ringing in my ear... the clogged feeling is still there from the episode a few days ago.
I feel this is an inner ear problem and not as drastic as a tumor. I wanted to get a second opinion.
I wanted to mention the step I took in #4 to create the problem again. I was thinking if this was a tumor on the brain stem or something else, this voluntary action of holding my nose and blowing (while mouth closed) wouldn't cause the dizziness and ringing. But this is why I ask you :-)
Brief Answer:
Impedance Audiogram (Tympanogram)
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a Impedance Audiogram (Tympanogram) done. This test will reveal any pressure changes in the middle ear or any fluid that may be responsible for your symptoms.
2. Upload the test result.Treatment options can then be discussed.
3. If the Impedance Audiogram is normal, certain common conditions such as Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's Disease, Vestibular Neuritis and Cervical Spine issues should be ruled out. Blood pressures must be recorded. An MRI is justified only after all these are ruled out. Most MRI Scan are normal.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Impedance Audiogram (Tympanogram)
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a Impedance Audiogram (Tympanogram) done. This test will reveal any pressure changes in the middle ear or any fluid that may be responsible for your symptoms.
2. Upload the test result.Treatment options can then be discussed.
3. If the Impedance Audiogram is normal, certain common conditions such as Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's Disease, Vestibular Neuritis and Cervical Spine issues should be ruled out. Blood pressures must be recorded. An MRI is justified only after all these are ruled out. Most MRI Scan are normal.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
They did do an audiogram - used a device in each ear and determined the pressure was normal for both ears.
I routinely check my blood pressure at normal times and during these spells. Both times my blood pressure is always normal. My range is from 100/65 - 120/80 almost always.
Just curious if a tumor could cause this condition if I hold my nose and mouth closed and blow hard to pop my ears. I am sure you can't answer this without an MRI, but just wanted peace of mind.
I routinely check my blood pressure at normal times and during these spells. Both times my blood pressure is always normal. My range is from 100/65 - 120/80 almost always.
Just curious if a tumor could cause this condition if I hold my nose and mouth closed and blow hard to pop my ears. I am sure you can't answer this without an MRI, but just wanted peace of mind.
Brief Answer:
No, a tumor is unlikely. ETD is more likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. No, a tumor will not present as this. Most tumors will affect the hearing as well.
2. At some point you are likely to have an MRI done. A normal MRI will settle the issue.
3. When you pop your ears with the nose and mouth closed, you are performing the Valsalva Maneuver which increases the pressure in the middle ear many times the normal limit. Hence this seems the most likely cause for the dizziness.
4. It would help if you could upload the tympanogram recording. A normal tympanogram will mean that the ear recovers between blocks of the Eustachian Tube. This would be mild ETD (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction).
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
No, a tumor is unlikely. ETD is more likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. No, a tumor will not present as this. Most tumors will affect the hearing as well.
2. At some point you are likely to have an MRI done. A normal MRI will settle the issue.
3. When you pop your ears with the nose and mouth closed, you are performing the Valsalva Maneuver which increases the pressure in the middle ear many times the normal limit. Hence this seems the most likely cause for the dizziness.
4. It would help if you could upload the tympanogram recording. A normal tympanogram will mean that the ear recovers between blocks of the Eustachian Tube. This would be mild ETD (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction).
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have requested the test and upload it tomorrow. Just an FYI the dizziness remained for about two hours after the Valsalva Maneuver but is gone now. The ringing in my ears and ear clogged feeling still remains .
Brief Answer:
Waiting for the test result.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, I will review the test result.
2. At present the episode of dizziness seems to be linked to the Valsalva Maneuver.
3. If the test shows any pressure changes, the tinnitus (ringing) and the fullness (clogging) can be explained.
4. If the test is normal, other causes as outlined in my first answer will have to ruled out one by one.
Awaiting your reply.
Regards.
Waiting for the test result.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, I will review the test result.
2. At present the episode of dizziness seems to be linked to the Valsalva Maneuver.
3. If the test shows any pressure changes, the tinnitus (ringing) and the fullness (clogging) can be explained.
4. If the test is normal, other causes as outlined in my first answer will have to ruled out one by one.
Awaiting your reply.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Report has been uploaded.. the ear that has always had the issue is my right ear. Today the ringing is minimal and barely present. No dizziness, but ear still muffled/clogged feeling, but can still hear out of it.
Brief Answer:
Normal reports. Further evaluation if symptoms persist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Your PTA is normal. The I/A seems to be normal, however the values in the right ear are missing.
2. I assume that the audiology team may have tried several times. If not, ask them to repeat the right ear test.
3. This means that the other conditions mentioned earlier have to be ruled out, beginning with BPPV, Meniere's Disease and vestibular neuritis.
4. If your symptoms (dizziness, tinnitus, aural fullness) resolve, no further testing is required.
5. If the symptoms persist, a series of Balance Tests including a Dix Hallpike Test, VNG (VideoNystagmoGraphy), ECoG (ElectroCochlearoGraphy), Caloric testing, Neurological examination and the MRI must be done.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Normal reports. Further evaluation if symptoms persist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Your PTA is normal. The I/A seems to be normal, however the values in the right ear are missing.
2. I assume that the audiology team may have tried several times. If not, ask them to repeat the right ear test.
3. This means that the other conditions mentioned earlier have to be ruled out, beginning with BPPV, Meniere's Disease and vestibular neuritis.
4. If your symptoms (dizziness, tinnitus, aural fullness) resolve, no further testing is required.
5. If the symptoms persist, a series of Balance Tests including a Dix Hallpike Test, VNG (VideoNystagmoGraphy), ECoG (ElectroCochlearoGraphy), Caloric testing, Neurological examination and the MRI must be done.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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