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Chronic Voice Loss and Ear Blockage — Possible Causes? Pls Help!
Hi everyone,
I’ve been struggling with several health issues for the past 3 years, and I’m hoping someone here might have insights or similar experiences.
It all started after a major abdominal surgery to remove ovarian abscesses (caused by untreated chlamydia and a copper IUD). Following the surgery, I was on heavy antibiotics. A couple of months later, I developed laryngitis, lost my voice for about a year, and even now, my voice remains very weak or absent, especially when I'm sick. Along with this, I’ve noticed a buildup of mucus in my throat, which worsens overnight. I often wake up with blocked nasal passages and have to clear my throat from thick, yellow-brown mucus. Spicy food sometimes helps clear the mucus and improves my voice temporarily.
About a year ago, my ears became blocked and have remained that way, making me extremely sensitive to sounds. Occasionally, the pressure in my ears seems to release briefly, and during those moments, my sound sensitivity improves. (Two weeks before my ear issues began, I was fitted with a bite guard for jaw clenching, and I wonder if this might be connected to my ear blockage, although I'm not sure.)
I’ve undergone numerous tests (brain MRI, sinus MRI, CT scans, ENT exams, laryngoscopy, gastroscopy, allergy tests, etc.), but none have provided any answers. I’ve also completed speech therapy and psychotherapy (over 2 years), all with no lasting improvement.
A few years ago, I had voice issues after taking antibiotics (throat pain, shortness of breath, and voice strain during presentations and singing), but this recent episode is much more severe (I also had to take a lot more antibiotics).
I currently take Medireflux for potential acid reflux and supplements to support my overall health, but nothing seems to address the core issues.
If anyone has had similar experiences or can point me toward potential causes (maybe related to antibiotics, chlamydia, or something else), I would greatly appreciate your input.
Thank you all very much!
Milli
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Amazing, keep me updated! And it’s not even that expensive
Sorry to learn of your problems. I've had the ongoing mucus in the throat since I developed a stomach ulcer in 2017 (since cured) and after COVID too. I thought it was clearing up but then it got worse. My mucus is clear but definitely worse in the morning. As to blocked ears: I had open heart surgery in January and developed blocked ears during my recovery--a specialist said it was due to the big weight loss I experienced as a result of being in the hospital (I lost 25 pounds and I was not overweight to begin with so I came out very scrawny). He told me it would improve after I gained the weight back, (I'm still not back up to my pre-surgery weight), but the ear blockage has improved and now comes and goes--oddly, about a month ago I devloped a head cold and the ear blockage disappeared during that 10 day period--a short relief. However, the mucus and throat clearing remains...
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1 ReactionDear bluesmanbill,
thank you for sharing your story! Interesting that you developed mucus after a stomach ulcer, has any doctor an idea why so? I did not lose any weight after surgery so I guess that's not an issue / explanation in my case. And interesting that the ear blockage disappeared during a cold, where you usually produce even more mucus. So has anything helped with your blockage / mucus?
Greetings!
Hi Milli180--thanks for asking. No explanation from any doctor--the ear, nose, throat specialist believes I have GERD but after his assessment I had an endoscopy done and they found nothing to confirm that theory and my ulcer had healed long before then (the omeprazole solved that and I had stopped taking it). Never have any GERD symptoms either. The ear blockage has only improved a little and it seems to get a bit better as I gain some weight. The specialist explained the condition and it's called eustachian tube dysfunction. But regaining the weight has been a slow process for me. In the interim I've found nothing to eliminate the mucus build up in my throat. I've tried eliminating certain foods and beverages but that made no difference either. It's been so long that I am starting to believe that I'm stuck with this for life. Best wishes!