1. < Hearing Loss

Eustachian tube dysfunction and balloon dilation

Posted by jcj123 @jcj123, Oct 2, 2024

I lost my hearing to SNHL on left side 9 months ago. I tried everything possible including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This therapy messed up both my ears and my eustachian tubes did not open after treatment. So I am totally deaf in left ear but my right ear I can hear everyone else clearly but my own voice is muffled. Five days ago I had balloon dilation surgery to open my eustachian tubes in both ears. Here are my questions:
1. Why is my own voice muffled? ( I can't seem to get an answer to this)
2. It's only been 6 days since the surgery but I feel absolutely no better nor any improvement. Will this surgery work?
3. What would the next step be for me? I can't live with closed eustachian tubes, can I (I don't want to because I'm uncomfortable 24/7)
4. I can't seem to get any answers, it's like I'm the only one in the world that this is happening to. I do have appt with surgeon tom for follow up so I'll ask her but she was against tubes because she said I only had one good ear and she didn't want to risk anything happening to it and losing my hearing in that ear too. So what would the next step be?
Every place I ask on line, I get no response. So thank you if you can help.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

maygimelli | @maygimelli | 6 days ago
In reply to @dloos "Good luck to you. I hope this treatment is the answer. My quest continues. I’m now..." + (show)
@dloos

Good luck to you. I hope this treatment is the answer.
My quest continues. I’m now seeing upper cervical chiropractor in case I have a compressed nerve that could be causing my problems.
?????? Still no answers.

Jump to this post

hi, I am wondering how you are doing. My symptoms are different than yours, but I am also feeling like I am the only person in the world going through this. My ears and head feel pressure building whenever I am anywhere with air differencials (HVAC, fans, air filters, a windy day). It's maddening. Have you had any more procedures or treatmnt?

REPLY
1 reply
dloos | @dloos | 6 days ago
In reply to @maygimelli "hi, I am wondering how you are doing. My symptoms are different than yours, but I..." + (show)
@maygimelli

hi, I am wondering how you are doing. My symptoms are different than yours, but I am also feeling like I am the only person in the world going through this. My ears and head feel pressure building whenever I am anywhere with air differencials (HVAC, fans, air filters, a windy day). It's maddening. Have you had any more procedures or treatmnt?

Jump to this post

You are not alone and actually your symptoms sound very similar to mine.
The balloon procedure did not help me. I considered hyperbaric oxygen, but since it is pressurized my doctor was afraid it might make things worse. Like you, I already feel so much pressure in my head.
I also have blurry vision and terrible digestion. Problems I never had before Covid.

I wish I could tell you something that has helped me, but no, nothing has been found.
I will certainly post if I find a therapy that gives ANY relief at all.

REPLY
1 reply
dloos | @dloos | 6 days ago
In reply to @dloos "You are not alone and actually your symptoms sound very similar to mine. The balloon procedure..." + (show)
@dloos

You are not alone and actually your symptoms sound very similar to mine.
The balloon procedure did not help me. I considered hyperbaric oxygen, but since it is pressurized my doctor was afraid it might make things worse. Like you, I already feel so much pressure in my head.
I also have blurry vision and terrible digestion. Problems I never had before Covid.

I wish I could tell you something that has helped me, but no, nothing has been found.
I will certainly post if I find a therapy that gives ANY relief at all.

Jump to this post

And, I forgot to mention the I am still seeing the upper cervical chiropractor but have had no improvement.
I’m sorry if my reply was confusing.

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daveshaw | @daveshaw | 5 days ago

Nice to see people posting on this site again.
I am anxious to hear about any advancements in hearing aids that might be of interest to anyone in the group.
I am waiting for the next great advancement and always excited when I read about human trials to restore hair cells.
Hearing aids and CI are helping so many but hopefully there will come a day when hearing loss will be a thing of the past.

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gerrieme | @gerrieme | 5 days ago

Bone conduction hearing aids are available
I know the bone conduction head sets for music work great.
I have had an ear drum replacement that had failed and eustachian tube dysfunction.
The bone conduction ear phones work so clear for me for music.
I am hopeful to find out if they can help my hearing loss .

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2 replies
delweb98 | @delweb98 | 5 days ago

Hi. I just wanted to join this discussion because I also have pressure, my voice sounds muffled, extreme anxiety and fatigue. In 2021 I had the ballooning procedure done in both ears. No improvement as of today 1/25/2025. Also have had allergy shots for the last 3 yrs because I was told that the tube may be swelled. No help again. Baro pressure or wet weather causes more clogging. Been to John Hopkins in Maryland. Penn Med in Philadelphia. Nine ENT’s near me in NJ. No answers. HELP!!!

REPLY
kmseay | @kmseay | 5 days ago
In reply to @gerrieme "Bone conduction hearing aids are available I know the bone conduction head sets for music work..." + (show)
@gerrieme

Bone conduction hearing aids are available
I know the bone conduction head sets for music work great.
I have had an ear drum replacement that had failed and eustachian tube dysfunction.
The bone conduction ear phones work so clear for me for music.
I am hopeful to find out if they can help my hearing loss .

Jump to this post

Do you happen to have any links to info re bone conduction headphones? I don’t know about them, and my ability to hear and enjoy music is almost entirely gone with my hearing loss.

Thanks!

REPLY
gerrieme | @gerrieme | 5 days ago

Wireless bone conduction headphones
Called
Open Move by Shokz
Reasonably priced and work for me but I still have some hearing .
They work thru my smartphone and for me. ..pick up my
UTUBE music favorites ( I have
a subscription) THEY WORK WITH AMAZON MUSIC TOO.
I haven't tried the hearing aids
But next time I go to my ENT
.I will ask.

REPLY
1 reply
siosal | @siosal | 4 days ago

Has anyone tried using apple airpods pro 2 as a hearing aid?

REPLY
gerrieme | @gerrieme | 4 days ago
In reply to @gerrieme "Wireless bone conduction headphones Called Open Move by Shokz Reasonably priced and work for me but..." + (show)
@gerrieme

Wireless bone conduction headphones
Called
Open Move by Shokz
Reasonably priced and work for me but I still have some hearing .
They work thru my smartphone and for me. ..pick up my
UTUBE music favorites ( I have
a subscription) THEY WORK WITH AMAZON MUSIC TOO.
I haven't tried the hearing aids
But next time I go to my ENT
.I will ask.

Jump to this post

You also can answer calls on your cell phone thru the shokz bone conduct headphones.
It happens automatically

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