Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: tube is plugged

...not sure if this is explained correctly or even can help anyone else ...no cure, but I find some warmth around ear/jawbone helps but hard to hold warming pad on: had bought these amazing round pads can be cooled in fridge (not freezer) or about 15 seconds in microwave, NOT hotter... then got daughter's winter ear muffs that go around back of head and each pad fits snuggly between ear "muff" and jaw area.. i would show you pic of me with them on but too scary. Helps a bit .......wish someone would invent ones to plug in electric, just low heat, for temporary relief (pads are blue)

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.

@dkro sorry to rant on about myself.... I used to be so laid back but with so many things going on and a place to vent I get carried away. Originally years ago I had just the odd clicking or buzzing in one or other ear occasionally and its only in past years it has become so painful, and I feel after "flu" and after infection with so many antibiotics; also teeth always had "overbite" but lots of people do and don't have tinnitus or ear pain... it is so very hard even for an ent to discover the cause - I have also read some good articles on Internet about it .... I am not at all hopeful for myself at my age 77 with so many other issues.... but wish I had not let it go for so long... and that I had kept insisting of some type of help before it reached this level and I basically put up with it, but it is what it is. I only hope and pray that one of these days there can be some help for us with this any for many with other illnesses - we have come a long long way in the medical field but have a long long way to go .... for me I think the only thing is to go on painkillers which I don't really want to do but Tylenol is not working.... take care and wishng everyone some relief from their pain and suffering. June

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?

Yes. I get this feeling like the ENT doesn't believe the hearing loss results.

@dedubbs I wonder if this is coming g from your tonsils You said your rt tonsil gets stones and its your rt ear that has the problem As you may know your ears ,nose and throat are all connected Maybe ask Dr about tonsils and a correlation between rt ear and rt tonsil

I assumed that was the case, but he adamantly said that my tonsils and ear issues weren't connected at all.