Hearing Loss & Valsalva Maneuver: Looking for Information

Chas,

I have controlled high BP using Amlodipine 5mg.

Recently purchased a "Pocket Talker" amplifier. Includes a frequency adjustment dial. About $149.00 via online. Use it with dual earbuds that are monaural not stereo. Very big improvement in high frequency hearing now with both ears. I walk around with earbuds. People think I'm listening to music!
The two AAA batteries last about 2 months. I recommend this amplifier to anyone with a loss in high or low frequency response. Try it before purchasing expensive, easy to lose, in-ear hearing aids.

Had a Tympanometry test last month which supposedly tests if Eustachian tubes are opening & closing properly. Audiologist said test showed all okay. I still have doubts with my Eustachian tube functionality on right ear which improves high frequency response with Valsava.

@chas - please write back if you are so inclined. would love to know what, if anything, you have discovered re your initial post. Thanks!!!

I am experiencing the exact conditions you described and found your comment looking for answers. Have you learned anymore than what is reflected in your comments. TIA

Don't ever do that maneuver, never do it. It caused my problem in the left ear, I was doing it alot because I was trying to dislodge something from the eardrum in my right ear (waiting to see otologist at the time). Now I have hissing (tinnitus) in the left ear, saw a dreadful audiologist yesterday just for a baseline test and left ear is worse than the right, left is my "good" ear, has been for 20 years plus! The valsalva maneuver did this to me. Stop.

Hi, sorry to hear this news. Who was it that told you that valsalva caused your tinnitus and worsened hearing? What basis or info did they say informed their opinion? I’ve heard the opposite, if you have eustachian tube dysfunction do valsalva frequently. Also, divers and flight attendants use Valsalva and other ear clearing techniques dozens of times per day. I can see that blowing too hard or causing bautrama might be the actual issue, but I'd love some clarification re. what you heard and your story please. Again, sorry you're dealing with this

My otologist told me. Otology is a specialty of ENT. All this Dr. does is ears, using a large microscope (teaching hospital), surgery, etc. He told me the valsalva maneuver is potentially dangerous and can damage the ET. So far, I've been to an audiologist who was truly awful (not at the teaching hospital). I'm going to consult with him this coming week and ask about MRI with contrast dye to attempt to visualize the tubes and any potential damage but I know it's there because the popping occurs at time even if I yawn and the other symptoms of ETD are there (sudden diminished hearing accompanied by tinnitus).

Please, if at all possible, keep us posted on your treatments and findings. I know some drs can actually place a scope into your nose right the the eustachian tube to view it. But if you go the MRI route, I'd love to know more about that. I'm seeing an otologist at MUSC (specialist) myself coming up who thinks a ballon dilation might be helpful for eustachian tube dysfunction, but no one has ever definitively diagnosed it, or actually looked AT my eustachian tubes. I have the fullness though, the pressure, and a layer of high end hearing comes back when I do Toynbee manoever (I stopped doing valasalva a few months ago). I actually try to do toynbee as few times as possible, but the pressure/fullness feeling is maddening. I really want to compare notes if we can - so again, please keep us posted and good luck with all of this!!!

I don't know what the toynbee is, I have to look it up. I'm only talking to him on the phone (I hope), they don't do telehealth visits in ENT Dept. he may not be able to do it. No one has called me back so far to tell me if he will do it. If not, then I have to make an in person appt. for a few weeks away, probably the first available. No one has looked at my eustachian tubes either so far as I know, I don't think he has. But I'm guessing they're involved because of the symptoms. I read the balloon dilation needs anesthesia, that will be difficult, it has to be general anesthesia, this place is an hour in each direction from me and a cab is $340 round trip. I'll definitely post anything he says about MRI and if I have any treatment.

Toynbee is just to hold your nose and swallow. Pops your ears without the danger to the ear drums.

I just spoke to my otologist. He said in my case it was caused by the valsalva maneuver, overdoing it, although my tubes are compromised already they never caused any of this. He said no imaging will really determine the exact problem and doesn't think it necessary. He also said making a small hole in the eardrum to release any fluid that might exist can be done as well as placing tubes BUT: he told me this condition will CLEAR UP ON ITS OWN in time. I'd rather do that than make incisions and have tubes, etc. I'd rather wait. I'm seeing him next week. I know you asked for an update, this is it, no imaging, etc., so far anyway.