Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: tube is plugged

@lacy2 It sounds like you have a number of health problems and your ear issue has been neglected due to COVID-19. You have gone a long time with pain and inconvenience. You must feel relief to finally see a provider.

You asked if you should write the provider before your video visit so you don't waste time with background information. I'm wondering if members have any strategies that have worked for them and/or suggestions?

You will notice that I moved your question into a previous related discussion. I did this so you can connect with members like @redhead63 @stites @upartist @januaryjane @dorothynoz45 @chantellk20 @imallears that can answer your regarding eustachian tube in a central location. You may also wish to scroll through the previous comments.

Have you considered calling the provider's nurse before the video visit? The nurse should write a note after your call and the information when then be part of your medical record.

Like you, I used to think eustachian tubes were only for children but I've heard a lot of adults lately that have had the procedure done successfully. I'm wondering if any members have this particular experience or know someone that has?

Well, tubes in ears at our age is unusual, but not unheard-of. At one point in the 1980's our ENT was caring for my 2 daughters, me, a few nieces and nephews, my Dad & his brother. We ALL - ages 15 months to over 80 years - had eustachian tube dysfunction & chronic ear infections - and all had tubes inserted in our ear drums. He considered us an interesting multi-generational case study in "bad ears".
Insertion is a 5 minute, in-office procedure, but not the first effort to deal with "plugged ears" or pain.

You mentioned stringy mucus from your nasal cavity on the same side as the worst symptoms, so you may have a chronic low-level infection or inflammation in your sinus as part of the equation - be sure to share this info with your ENT - sometimes a mucus thinning medication can help. Do be sure he has your complete medical history as well, since things that seem unrelated to you and me can definitely influence each other in our bodies.

Good luck in solving your ear issues - even though it seems "small" it has a tremendous impact on quality of life.
Sue

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?

I am a 23/f, in December 2019/January 2020 I experienced a terrible cold/ sinus infection, I ended up getting a round of antibiotics prescribed from a walk in and was fully better within a couple weeks. Later in summer 2020 I noticed a certain like clicking and popping noise in my ears when I spoke, school began in the fall and I put it off until in November/December 2020 it became so unbearable the persistent noise began to trigger headaches and become a distraction. Working from home often in a quiet room on zoom calls I found myself experiencing worse symptoms, if I were to speak too much the plugging and unplugging noise (like you hear when you yawn) would give me such bad headaches. I finally contacted my primary physician after I had 2-3 bouts of intense dizziness and spatial disorientation and googling to find it might be related to my ears. She tentatively diagnosed me with Eustachian tube dysfunction after confirming there were no visible wax blockages. The ENT she referred me to listened to my symptoms and conducted a hearing and pressure test, both coming back normal. He (very rudely) told me “to go to a dentist for TMJ concerns because the clicking is my jaw” even when I tried to show him it only happens when I’m speaking and not just from moving my jaw, the clicking so loud you can hear it in my speech. I can’t afford to go see a dentist right now so I’m looking for some other insight as to whether the ENT I was referred to could have been wrong and I should pursue a second opinion or just take myself to a dentist in some time as it could be my jaw. Also over the last two days I’ve developed persistent ringing in my ears that seems to get louder when I bend over, and I have to do some jaw/throat/ear clearings to diminish; occasionally I also feel like there is liquid/runny wax coming out of my ears. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

@dkro Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms and that your ENT (from the sounds of it) didn't listen to your concerns in full.

You'll notice that I moved your question to as existing discussion.

You are unable to afford the dentist but you are able to go to the doctor, right? I assume you have medical but not dental coverage, right? I cannot give you medical advice but it sounds like you have valid reasons to seek a second ENT opinion.
I'd like to invite members @lacy2 @sueinmn @redhead63 @imallears @chantellk20 @stites @upartist @januaryjane @dorothynoz45 to the discussion. They may be able to offer experience and support.

May I ask if you have access to another ENT nearby?

I’m still suffering with tinnitus after many doctors and having tubes put in both ears. Still praying for answers just as many are. Denise S.

I live in Canada with student insurance, so I might be able to see another ENT but will have to look into getting another referral for it myself/if I can see a different one directly as my primary care physician seems to trust what the ENT said completely. My dental coverage only covers a percentage of 1 checkup/cleaning every year which I had done in the summer. If I were to see the dentist for an additional visit it would not be covered which is why I posted here. If it is possible my jaw could cause all this I will save to see the dentist but if that seems to not be the cause I’d like to save that amount. I just want to be sure I have good reason to demand a second referral even though that ENT said a normal pressure and hearing test means “for sure” it’s not my ears. After that appointment I was feeling very defeated and with the ringing now I was very unsure where to turn.

@dkro I am sorry to hear about your frustrations. While I have to put the disclaimer out there, I am not a doctor, but I can possibly provide you with some additional insight/thoughts.
•Question for you-How long were you experiencing the cold/sinus symptoms before you got a round of antibiotics?
I ask this because almost all cold/sinus related issues start as viral and eventually resolve on their own. It can take up to 8 weeks for a bad one, especially during that time frame of Dec/Jan. If given an antibiotic for a non bacterial issue it wouldn’t have done anything for a viral infection. Antibiotics can some times have a harder affect on sensitive people causing lingering issues/symptoms.
•I am not surprised the ENT you saw, was rude. Don’t be discouraged by that.They are surgeons. And their least favorite thing to discuss is Eustachian tube dysfunction as this is a very complex, subjective area and covers an umbrella of issues that they have little to offer. Eustachian tubes are often the only thing they can recommend, which are outdated and controversial and often cause more harm than good.
•TMJ- this area is very close to the Eustachian tube and when one is inflamed or irritated it can refer pain or compensate for the other. A tense feeling in the ears and cause a tense feeling in the jaw muscle and vice/versa. You do not have to have a “clicking jaw” to have right muscles in the area. This can be caused from tight holding patterns in the neck, forward head posture, eye strain from phone/computer screens etc. Even stress and thinking can cause these muscles to tighten.
•ENTs do little to educate on muscular/tension and pain referral. So you will be loosely diagnosed and referred elsewhere.
•I understand the type of clicking you are talking about. It’s the same sounds as when your ears pop from a plane. While the sound and the anxiety about it can cause worry, no that you are not in danger.
Being at home, during Covid is stressful enough as a student. When dealing with a condition that has a sound that you have now drawn more and more attention to, that can bring in additional stress, tension, tight muscles and dizziness as well.
•I would be curious to know your stress levels and how you hold your stress or release it. If it is held in the neck, this can refer into the jaws and ears causing a feeling of ear fullness and pressure.
•To make yourself feel better or reassured, do proceed with a second opinion. Before you do, ask if that ENT shares a special interest in Ears and is knowledgeable in TMJ as well. You have the RIGHT to ask and be your own advocate. Here’s some advice, an ENT who is in a large organization is often pressured down to the minute on how quickly he/she sees a patient as well as pressure to get patients into the operating room. A smaller practice/preferably solo practice ENT tends to have more flexibility and time. An older ENT doesn’t feel the pressure to have a ton of surgeries under his/her name because they’ve already learned and proven themselves. These extras are just to be aware when selecting an ENT “surgeon” to see. They are all real factors and can help when making decisions for yourself.

Hi all. I've been experiencing a plugged feeling in my r ear since Oct 2020. Have the feeling of wanting to poke a hole to release pressure. Finally went to ENT after noticing significant hearing loss, assuming I'd get PE tubes. Audiology shows a 50% loss of hearing. Tymps were "normal" with -87 which is still normal. Some retraction noticed by ENT but not significant. No bulging or fluid. CT ordered. Normal. No infection or other bone issues. ENT has asked for a repeat audiology to make sure hearing loss is still there. It is. I could tell him that.

I hear constant crackling, and sound can be minorly improved for 1-2 seconds after a depressurizing maneuver. I feel like it's a middle ear issue, but nothing can be seen by ENT and with a normal tymp they feel it's not the issue. Anyone have any thoughts?

Hearing loss, large tonsils. ENT stumped

Hi all. I've been experiencing a plugged feeling in my r ear since Oct 2020. Have the feeling of wanting to poke a hole to release pressure. Finally went to ENT after noticing significant hearing loss, assuming I'd get PE tubes. Audiology shows a 50% loss of hearing. Tymps were "normal" with -87 which is still normal. Some retraction noticed by ENT but not significant. No bulging or fluid. CT ordered. Normal. No infection or other bone issues. ENT has asked for a repeat audiology to make sure hearing loss is still there. It is. I could tell him that.

My tonsils are large. Grade 3. The right tonsil has constant tonsil stones and the right sinus is congested all the time. Essentially my Right side is a hot mess but the ENT doesn't think it's related.

I hear constant crackling in my right ear and sound can be minorly improved for 1-2 seconds after a depressurizing maneuver. I feel like it's a middle ear issue, but nothing can be seen by ENT and with a normal tymp they feel it's not the issue. Anyone have any thoughts?

@deedubs Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect a place to give and get support. It sounds like you are receiving appropriate care but you still don't have answers.

You'll notice I moved your questions to an existing discussion. I did this so you could connect with members like @imallears @upartist @januaryjane @redhead63 @lacy2 @dkro @stites @chantellk20 who have experience discussing this topic in a central location.

May I ask what next steps are? Is it to repeat the audiology?