HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Ears Nose Throat Question Eustachian Tube Dysfunction And Viral Labyrinthitis

default
Posted on Fri, 24 Jul 2020
Question: Ears Nose Throat question Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and viral labyrinthitis.
Have been told by ENT I have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Family doctor also says viral labyrinthitis.
Sudden ringing in ears started 2 months ago. Mostly on right side, but ringing is on left side but a lot quieter. Other than that I felt perfectly fine. About 2 weeks after ringing started, I started feeling the draining feeling but nothing comes out. Drinking water can trigger it or laying on my side. Can I have both ETD and viral labyrinthitis? How does one know if ETD is bad enough for treatment like tubes or balloon therapy? Why do my ears feel like a tickle or draining sensation but nothing comes out?? My audiology test report shows both ears similar mostly in good range. The last 2 readings on the chart with higher frequency shows left ear mild and right ear on mild/moderate borderline. So some hearing loss but I personally do not notice it unless in a very noisy room I have to listen carefully. Age 62. I know because I have some hearing loss might trigger the tinnitus. ENT said any little thing wrong in the ear can set it off. So far hoping ringing can improve. And one month after ringing started I had a 'vestibular event' with nausea and unsteady mostly when i moved my head and or eyes a certain way. Short dose of prednisone cured. Wondering what this draining feeling means and if it's possible the tinnitus will go away someday. If it does go away one day, how long might the ringing last? It has been a bit over 2 months now. Can this condition cause additional/slight hearing loss? Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rajat Basak (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hii. Welcome to the health care services. It seems that you are having shor

Detailed Answer:
Hii. Welcome to the health care services. It seems that you are having short episode of giddiness which resolved on medication. You are having mild sensorineural hearing loss. You are also having tinnitus in both ears, diagnosed outside as eustachian tube dysfunction. Can you send your hearing test report? - Pure tone audiogram and impedance audiogram. At this age there is always a weakness of cochlear nerve. So there is always sensorineural hearing loss. It also seems that you may be having BPPV or postural vertigo as you are having giddiness on certain change of posture. This BPPV is common in old age. Even sensorineural hearing loss can also cause giddiness and tinnitus. Eustachian tube dysfunction can cause ear fullness, ringing sensation. So all the three problems like BPPV, hearing loss and ETD can coexist. It's unlikely to be vestibular labyrinthitis. Start a nasal fluticasone spray which will help in decongestion of eustachian tube and help in its function. Start steam inhalation. If possible do a dixhallpike test and if positive then undergo a Epleys manouvre by an ent surgeon. Do vestibular rehabilitation exercise, u can find online. Don't sleep on the side you are feeling giddiness. ETD will take at least 3-6 m to resolve. BPPV will resolve with epleys manouvre and exercise. For hearing loss you can take hearing aid. Please review if you have any queries.
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. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Rajat Basak

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 802 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Ears Nose Throat Question Eustachian Tube Dysfunction And Viral Labyrinthitis

Brief Answer: Hii. Welcome to the health care services. It seems that you are having shor Detailed Answer: Hii. Welcome to the health care services. It seems that you are having short episode of giddiness which resolved on medication. You are having mild sensorineural hearing loss. You are also having tinnitus in both ears, diagnosed outside as eustachian tube dysfunction. Can you send your hearing test report? - Pure tone audiogram and impedance audiogram. At this age there is always a weakness of cochlear nerve. So there is always sensorineural hearing loss. It also seems that you may be having BPPV or postural vertigo as you are having giddiness on certain change of posture. This BPPV is common in old age. Even sensorineural hearing loss can also cause giddiness and tinnitus. Eustachian tube dysfunction can cause ear fullness, ringing sensation. So all the three problems like BPPV, hearing loss and ETD can coexist. It's unlikely to be vestibular labyrinthitis. Start a nasal fluticasone spray which will help in decongestion of eustachian tube and help in its function. Start steam inhalation. If possible do a dixhallpike test and if positive then undergo a Epleys manouvre by an ent surgeon. Do vestibular rehabilitation exercise, u can find online. Don't sleep on the side you are feeling giddiness. ETD will take at least 3-6 m to resolve. BPPV will resolve with epleys manouvre and exercise. For hearing loss you can take hearing aid. Please review if you have any queries.