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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Chronic Ear Fullness, Discomfort. Exterior Ear Sensitive. Solution?

my husband has had chronic unilateral ear fullness and discomfort for the last 15 years.. It began when we took an airlfight and he had a cold and the pressure changes of flight caused his ear to pop ...It has never been the same since. Over the years he has been seen by two Ent doctors, had a CT scan done in the 90 s following the initial complaints, and then saw a second specialist about 6 years ago and had an MRI done which they said was normal. He has had his dentist check him for TMJ disorder which he doesn t have, but does have some grinding of the teeth at night...The interesting thing with this is that his exterior ear is sensitive to wind, breath blowing on it and he can t sleep on that ear without it causing discomfort. Any ideas?
Sat, 26 Oct 2013
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hello

Welcome in H.C.M.

I have gone through your query regarding ear problem of your husband for last 15 years.

As you said that your husband always feels difficulty in air travel as far as his ear is concerned, it gets blocked and start popping. This indicates dysfunction of eustachian tube, it might be associated sinus problem or sore throat.

In such cases C.T.scan and M.R.I.of ear may be normal but abnormalities are expected in radio logical examination of sinuses.

To confirm the diagnosis and for treatment point of view you should do-

1- Audiometry (pure tone & Impedance audiometry)

2- Clinical and radiological examination of nose, paranasal sinuses & Throat.

Though confirm diagnosis is made only after thorough examination and relevant investigations but my past experience is favoring possibility of chronic adhesive otitis media and in such cases grommet insertion on ear drum gives excellent results.

Regards.
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Chronic Ear Fullness, Discomfort. Exterior Ear Sensitive. Solution?

Hello Welcome in H.C.M. I have gone through your query regarding ear problem of your husband for last 15 years. As you said that your husband always feels difficulty in air travel as far as his ear is concerned, it gets blocked and start popping. This indicates dysfunction of eustachian tube, it might be associated sinus problem or sore throat. In such cases C.T.scan and M.R.I.of ear may be normal but abnormalities are expected in radio logical examination of sinuses. To confirm the diagnosis and for treatment point of view you should do- 1- Audiometry (pure tone & Impedance audiometry) 2- Clinical and radiological examination of nose, paranasal sinuses & Throat. Though confirm diagnosis is made only after thorough examination and relevant investigations but my past experience is favoring possibility of chronic adhesive otitis media and in such cases grommet insertion on ear drum gives excellent results. Regards.