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What Causes Sounds From Ear When I Blow Nose?

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Posted on Wed, 10 Sep 2014
Question: When I blow my nose a very loud sound comes from my left ear which everyone around me can hear. I know about tinnitus and experience that. This is not that. I've been given ear drops from doctors and the ear drops bubble if I blow my nose. I am a 52 year old female. I am 5'4" and weigh 142 pounds.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. You are likely to have a perforation in your left ear drum.

2. An otoscopy will settle the diagnosis.

3. The sound is created by the sudden rush of air through the Eustachian Tube which connects the nose to the ear.

4. This sound on blowing the nose and the bubbling of the ear drops is normally seen with ear drum perforations.

5. Let me know the otoscopy findings so that we can take this discussion further to management and treatment.

I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (6 minutes later)
The doctor I saw said she didn't see any perforation(I asked specifically) and that I would not have fluid in my ear if there were a perforation. A perforation was my first thought, but she said she only saw fluid. By the way, I do not use Q-Tips ever.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Get a Tympanogram (Impedance Audiometry) done. This will settle the issue whether you have a fluid build-up, a perforation, a hypermobile eardrum, a patulous Eustachian Tube or an ETD (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction).

2. There may be a pinpoint perforation id air bubbles form. Request your doctor to use a video oto-endosocpe for a magnified view of the ear. You may upload the images here.

3. Q-Tips are safe to use if used gently by holding them 1.5 cm from the tip.

I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further 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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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2686 Questions

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What Causes Sounds From Ear When I Blow Nose?

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. You are likely to have a perforation in your left ear drum. 2. An otoscopy will settle the diagnosis. 3. The sound is created by the sudden rush of air through the Eustachian Tube which connects the nose to the ear. 4. This sound on blowing the nose and the bubbling of the ear drops is normally seen with ear drum perforations. 5. Let me know the otoscopy findings so that we can take this discussion further to management and treatment. I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.