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.
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.