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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Do Colds Or Allergies Causes Mucus Formation In The Eustachian Tubes ? How Can It Be Treated ?

Over the last nearly two years I ve been having symptoms of Ear fullness, crackling and mild hearing loss . Have been to see the local ENT Specialist three times who has performed a range of test ranging from Nasal Endoscopy, Tympanometry and Pure Tone Audiometry . The first visit, I was told I had Septum Deviation, blocked sinus , and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction on both sides. I was then told that I would need surgery to correct the Septum and drain the sinus, which i had agreed to. But then decided not to as was worried about the Anesthetic side effects as I was drinking quite a lot of alcohol at that time, e.g 50 Units a week at the time. The second visit, I had another Nasal Endoscopy performed, and this time round the ENT told me that my nose looked better and that my sinus was no longer blocked, which I found odd as my ears were in a worse condition than they were on the first visit. The third visit, I took my father in as I may have not explained properly due to nerves in the previous visits, this time round I was sent for a hearing test, both Tympanometry and Pure Tone Audiometry were performed by a nurse practitioner, the Pure Tone Audiometry came up with slight hearing loss in the right ear, and the Tympanometry came up as normal, going by the pictures that were printed out, there was a wave form both ears tested, which the ENT specialist later confirmed as normal. After all these results, which has had me thinking, is it possible there may be some kind of blockage from excessive mucus production due to allergies in my Eustachian Tubes, of late I ve having lots of green discharge from the nose, especially in the morning. Just the other day I need a Sinus irrigation with Saline solution and the 4 way nasal spray, also did the valsalva maneuver while the solution was in my nose and sinus cavities to get the solution into my Eustachian Tubes, and was successful in doing so. This did help with the ear fullness, but I could still feel there was something going on in my Eustachian Tubes. Is it possible that mucus has become trapped in the tubes, from a flu type cold/virus I had two years ago ?
Thu, 26 Jan 2012
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hi.....dear Allan Murray.,
Thanks for choosing HCM.,
If , Ears that hurt and feel full.,Ringing or popping noises in ears.
Swelling from a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can keep the eustachian tubes from opening. ..,
This leads to pressure changes. Fluid may collect in the middle ear...,
The pressure and fluid can cause pain...,
Fluid in the ear can lead to an infection (acute otitis media)
Main problems, if mucus in the Eustachian tube is....
1) Feeling a little dizzy.
2) A fever, which can be a sign of an ear infection...mainly Bacteria
3) Blocked eustachian tubes often get better on their own...,
You may be able to open the blocked tubes with a simple exercise...,like
a) Close your mouth, hold your nose, and gently blow as if you are blowing your nose.(Valsalva Maneuver) b)Yawning and chewing gum also may help. You may hear or feel a "pop" when the tubes open to make the pressure equal between the inside and outside of your ears..,
So consult ENT surgeon, he can guide you ...ok...good luck...,
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Do Colds Or Allergies Causes Mucus Formation In The Eustachian Tubes ? How Can It Be Treated ?

Hi.....dear Allan Murray., Thanks for choosing HCM., If , Ears that hurt and feel full.,Ringing or popping noises in ears. Swelling from a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can keep the eustachian tubes from opening. .., This leads to pressure changes. Fluid may collect in the middle ear..., The pressure and fluid can cause pain..., Fluid in the ear can lead to an infection (acute otitis media) Main problems, if mucus in the Eustachian tube is.... 1) Feeling a little dizzy. 2) A fever, which can be a sign of an ear infection...mainly Bacteria 3) Blocked eustachian tubes often get better on their own..., You may be able to open the blocked tubes with a simple exercise...,like a) Close your mouth, hold your nose, and gently blow as if you are blowing your nose.(Valsalva Maneuver) b)Yawning and chewing gum also may help. You may hear or feel a pop when the tubes open to make the pressure equal between the inside and outside of your ears.., So consult ENT surgeon, he can guide you ...ok...good luck...,