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Suggest Treatment For Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

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Posted on Fri, 21 Apr 2017
Question: Hello. The question that I have for you is about two months ago I was diagnose with left ear Eustachian tube dysfunction with a reverted ear drum on January 29, 2017. My hearing was very sensitive to commonly noises. I had a hearing test which came out normal. I am experiencing a fullness in my left depending where I am situation. I can not explain my symptoms but the best way to describe what I am feeling is sound bouncing off my ear (slightly) with a block feeling/numbing feeling in the left ear, especially if I near glass or metal objects while someone is talking or if I am around some type of sound. That is when my left ear feels plugged.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube blockage

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to HealthcareMagic and thanks for putting up the query
The popping sensation in ear is due to eustachian tube blockage. The moment the tubes open you feel popping due to pressure release. The most common cause of eustachian tube blockage is any nasal or throat disease. My advice is you should get Xray paranasal sinuses done and also send me your audiometry report.
Treating the cause will treat the blockage. Secondly if there is marked drum refraction, there is an option of tympanotomy with grommet insertion to release middle ear pressure.
Take an oral decongestants and nasal decongestant drops for few days.
Take steam inhalation and chew a gum that will also help decongest the tube.
Any further questions are always welcome.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (33 hours later)
Hello Dr. Aggarawal,

Thank you for answering my question. I agree. I like to add more additional information for you to help with your assessment. It all started after smelling a bottle of perfume that cause my throat to itch while coughing. I instantaneously felt my left ear feeling clogged. I do suffer from post nasal drip and had both environmental and chemical testing done which came back that was allergic to commonly used chemicals in products. I wasn't allergic to dust, mold, weeds, pollen, dogs, cats. Etc.

When I went to the ENT doctor, I had a nasoscopy performed by another ENT (within the group) other than my Doctor who diagnose me with ETD, reverted Tympanic membrane and chronic rhinitis in January. I later followed up two weeks later with my ENT
Who said my ear drum is no longer reverted. He performed a hearing test and it came back normal. He said there was a little negative pressure in the left ear. I told him about the symptoms that I was experiencing, like sounds bouncing of my ear when I am talking loudly or someone else or annoying when I hear the rustling affects of grocery bags. His response to me was to wait to see if things settle down. And if not follow up with him.

On March 17, 2017, I went back to him and told the medical assistant my chief complaint. When the Dr. arrived in the room, he automatically was preparing to irrigate my ears as he normally does every six months. However, I just had the services done in his office six weeks ago. He didn't look into my nose with a nasascope on a lighted instrument. He suction my ears and was about to send me on my way. He didn't ask me what my complaints were, so I told him. He said sometimes it could be viral. He order a MRI??? And on my assessment sheet he put done tinnitus which has never been discussed. I don't have ringing in my ears or hear noises. My symptoms are getting better. However, I don't know if healing is a slow process. I have been diagnosed before with chronic ETD and had two ear infections in the past.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube blockage

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for all the information.
You are having eustachian tube functional blockage. The drum retraction if present is also due to that.
MRI is not a good investigation to diagnose that rather get a CT PARANASAL SINUSES done. You should get an impedance audiometry done. Take an oral decongestant and nasal decongestant drops. Take steam inhalation and chew a gum. So this for at least 10 days. If there is any findings on CT than it should be treated. You can also go for a tympanotomy with grommet insertion if there is no improvement on medicines. Tinnitus is also a symptom of eustachian tube blockage and no tinnitus now means medical management is helpful in your case.
My advice is you should take medicines for few days and follow up after 10 days.
Wishing you a speedy recovery
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (2 days later)
Thank you for the sound advice.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube blockage

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I hope my advise proves useful for you and you feel better soon.
Any further questions are always welcome.
Take care
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. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1389 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Brief Answer: Eustachian tube blockage Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to HealthcareMagic and thanks for putting up the query The popping sensation in ear is due to eustachian tube blockage. The moment the tubes open you feel popping due to pressure release. The most common cause of eustachian tube blockage is any nasal or throat disease. My advice is you should get Xray paranasal sinuses done and also send me your audiometry report. Treating the cause will treat the blockage. Secondly if there is marked drum refraction, there is an option of tympanotomy with grommet insertion to release middle ear pressure. Take an oral decongestants and nasal decongestant drops for few days. Take steam inhalation and chew a gum that will also help decongest the tube. Any further questions are always welcome. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Thanks and regards