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Ongoing Eustachian Tube Dysfunction – Need Advice
Hi everyone,
I’ve been dealing with a frustrating ear issue since mid-February and I’d really appreciate any input or shared experiences.
It started with a blocked ear due to cerumen buildup (not unusual for me). After using ear drops, I had a full ear irrigation done privately. Right after the procedure, I felt a strange pressure in my left ear, like something shifted inside. It resolved after two days.
For about three weeks after that, everything seemed fine. But then, around March 9–10, a mild pressure sensation started building up in my left ear. It worsened when I tried to exercise. I went to an ENT who diagnosed me with chronic sinus inflammation and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD), and prescribed medication.
Over the next few weeks, symptoms varied – pressure sometimes in the left ear, sometimes the right. My nose was always congested on one side. Audiogram was normal, tympanogram showed mild dysfunction. ENT also mentioned I might consult a neurologist, but didn’t push for it.
Changing altitude (even 100 meters) made the pressure spike badly, so the tubes were clearly sensitive. I also did an allergy test which showed mild sensitivity to dust mites. A pulmonologist suspected water retention in the ear canal caused the initial post-irrigation pressure. She prescribed Rinasek, which improved things a lot — pressure was much less while on it.
Now that I’ve stopped the medication (10-day course), the pressure has partially returned, though maybe less intense than before.
The main issue is still the ear pressure, occasional popping/clicking, nasal congestion, and sensitivity to altitude changes. It’s affecting my daily life and I'm not sure what the long-term outlook is. I’m concerned whether this will ever go away completely, and what I can do long-term to prevent it from becoming chronic.
Has anyone dealt with something similar? Did it fully resolve for you? Would really appreciate any advice, tips, or shared recovery stories.
Thank you.
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@nekoizmase - I'm having the same issue and I'm wondering if you've had any updates since your last post.
I started having a feeling of agitation (or fullness?) in both of my ears. I pop my ears but the sensation returns immediately. Minor changes in elevation cause symptoms to trigger. Exercise too. Sometimes the left ear will be worse, and sometimes the right ear will be worse. I've tried 2 rounds of antibiotics - no change. Audiogram and head CT was normal. My ENT thinks it's just mold allergies. I've completed the "build up" phase of allergy shots, and now I'm on the therapeutic/maintenance phase (which will last a year). I'm also on montelukast. I've seen minor improvement - but I'm nowhere near "back to normal".
My ENT did not recommend ear tubes, although I feel like they could help. He did refer me to a university clinic. I'm hoping they're able to determine the root cause.
What I found to help:
- Taking a shower
- Eating
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
What I found that triggers symptoms:
- Driving
- Exercise
- Chewing gum
Have you Googled TMJ?
My left ear, the bad one, has MES. Musical Ear Syndrome. Comes and goes. I hear the same Men’s Chorus singing parts of familiar patriotic or holiday songs. Not loud but as if they were in another room. Some favorites: Battle Hymn of the Republic, Marine Corps Hymn, Johnny Comes Marching Home, Anchors Aweigh, more. Frosty the Snowman, Rudolf…. Never complete the song but transition into another. I read it can presage deafness in affected ear. Usually not when I’m doing something or conversing. Need new hearings which are recommended. Also for about a month and 1/2 had several hallucinations. Saw people not there 3 times. Moving never speaking, though looking at me. Went to “community mailbox” with wife to get mail. Dark except for fairly good street lights. Saw 3 juvenile boys playing around neighbor’s wheeled trash cans put out on sidewalk for next morning trash pick-up. I figured they’d knock them over and make a mess. About 40’ away, I yelled to please quit it, leave cans alone. They looked back as though puzzled and not understanding. Wife said, “Tom, there’s nobody there.” We walked on and I didn’t see them again. But turning left at nearby intersection, now near to mailboxes and maybe 200’ away saw couple dozen ancient Roman soldiers, milling around, some swords brandished, among grassy area with tall thin plants around. They wouldn’t cross onto a paved road though nothing blocking in the road. Again wife totally unaware. Got mail, turned around to home. They melted away I think. Side note: I do listen to a lot of audio books, historical fiction, about Ancient Rome. Connection? What’s “scary” is a different time, we got home from somewhere and I took time to scan any messages on iPhone. Sure enough there was one that I’d hoped I’d get. From my doctor. I told my poor wife of course. Earlier I had messaged doctor briefly about how a visit to a different doctor had gone, but apparently text was not clear enough about just exactly whom I was referring to. Her text to me gave me the chance to better explain everything. I knew my first message was “rushed”, even sloppy. So that night replied to her text with much clearer, precise description of doctor visit. Next day though too soon for a reply from her, I checked phone anyway. Nothing. BUT NEITHER COULD I FIND her reply message to ME which I was so glad to see the day before. I could NOT find anywhere on phone. Yet I saw the REPLY I had written to her. I hadn’t used the “reply” feature on her message but had started a new text. So it dawned on me. 😜 She hadn’t texted me in the first place. But my own reply to “it” was in my sent folder. She never said anything about it. All I can say is that during the time period in question we were under massive stress over very ill daughter. Also resultant financial matters. Whom does one “see”? A neurologist apparently. A kinda of physical “Check-up from the Neck up”.
Next Thursday.
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