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Eustachian Tube Issue

Posted by rdschicago @rdschicago, Dec 27, 2023

Long term Menieres sufferer, now deaf in the right ear with mixed loss in the left. Every time I swallow my Eustachian tube closes and my hearing levels drop significantly. I have to blow out, performing a valsalva maneuver, to unclog the tube , but when I swallow I’m right back to the ear getting clogged again. I went to a specialist at Harvard, Dr. Poe, who told me I was not a candidate for the balloon dilation procedure, and even if I was, he wouldn’t operate if my other ear was deaf due to surgery risks.

Does anyone have this issue and if so, can you recommend anything else to keep the Eustachian tube open?

Thanks.

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davidsliu7 | @davidsliu7 | Dec 28, 2023

I don’t have your specific issue, but when my tubes get clogged, a saline rinse will often “pop” my tubes and clear up my hearing…

REPLY
1 reply
dloos | @dloos | Dec 28, 2023
In reply to @davidsliu7 "I don’t have your specific issue, but when my tubes get clogged, a saline rinse will..." + (show)
@davidsliu7

I don’t have your specific issue, but when my tubes get clogged, a saline rinse will often “pop” my tubes and clear up my hearing…

Jump to this post

A saline rinse of nasal passages... like a neti-pot? A gargle?
I have tried so many things to get my Eustachian tubes working, and nothing has helped. Like the original poster, balloon expansion has not be suggested for my particular case. I cannot get nasal sprays to my Eustachian tubes though I think that might help. I know antihistamine nasal sprays are helpful for a lot of people.
A simple saline rinse sounds good....but, how do you perform it?

REPLY
1 reply
davidsliu7 | @davidsliu7 | Dec 28, 2023
In reply to @dloos "A saline rinse of nasal passages... like a neti-pot? A gargle? I have tried so many..." + (show)
@dloos

A saline rinse of nasal passages... like a neti-pot? A gargle?
I have tried so many things to get my Eustachian tubes working, and nothing has helped. Like the original poster, balloon expansion has not be suggested for my particular case. I cannot get nasal sprays to my Eustachian tubes though I think that might help. I know antihistamine nasal sprays are helpful for a lot of people.
A simple saline rinse sounds good....but, how do you perform it?

Jump to this post

Yes, a neti pot is essentially what I use. Specifically, I have what looks like a small squeeze bottle with a big tip that goes up against my nostril. You can control the flow by how hard you squeeze. Make sure to use saline packets…all available at the chain drugstores. The nice thing about saline rinses is that they don’t involve chemicals and can be used frequently. (Make sure to also use sterile water, e.g., water cooled down after boiling).

REPLY
1 reply
dloos | @dloos | Dec 28, 2023
In reply to @davidsliu7 "Yes, a neti pot is essentially what I use. Specifically, I have what looks like a..." + (show)
@davidsliu7

Yes, a neti pot is essentially what I use. Specifically, I have what looks like a small squeeze bottle with a big tip that goes up against my nostril. You can control the flow by how hard you squeeze. Make sure to use saline packets…all available at the chain drugstores. The nice thing about saline rinses is that they don’t involve chemicals and can be used frequently. (Make sure to also use sterile water, e.g., water cooled down after boiling).

Jump to this post

Thanks, I’ll try.

REPLY
gertferst | @gertferst | Dec 28, 2023

My right ear, and slightly in left ear are clogged for last 26 hours. I just got over an upper respiratory infection with bad cough. I read that taking pseudoepinephrine (decongestants) and using Flonase. So far today, slight improvement. Left ear seems unclogged and right ear only slightly so far. Hearing in right ear is really affected.

REPLY
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