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Ongoing Eustachian Tube Dysfunction – Need Advice
Hi everyone,
I’ve been dealing with a frustrating ear issue since mid-February and I’d really appreciate any input or shared experiences.
It started with a blocked ear due to cerumen buildup (not unusual for me). After using ear drops, I had a full ear irrigation done privately. Right after the procedure, I felt a strange pressure in my left ear, like something shifted inside. It resolved after two days.
For about three weeks after that, everything seemed fine. But then, around March 9–10, a mild pressure sensation started building up in my left ear. It worsened when I tried to exercise. I went to an ENT who diagnosed me with chronic sinus inflammation and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD), and prescribed medication.
Over the next few weeks, symptoms varied – pressure sometimes in the left ear, sometimes the right. My nose was always congested on one side. Audiogram was normal, tympanogram showed mild dysfunction. ENT also mentioned I might consult a neurologist, but didn’t push for it.
Changing altitude (even 100 meters) made the pressure spike badly, so the tubes were clearly sensitive. I also did an allergy test which showed mild sensitivity to dust mites. A pulmonologist suspected water retention in the ear canal caused the initial post-irrigation pressure. She prescribed Rinasek, which improved things a lot — pressure was much less while on it.
Now that I’ve stopped the medication (10-day course), the pressure has partially returned, though maybe less intense than before.
The main issue is still the ear pressure, occasional popping/clicking, nasal congestion, and sensitivity to altitude changes. It’s affecting my daily life and I'm not sure what the long-term outlook is. I’m concerned whether this will ever go away completely, and what I can do long-term to prevent it from becoming chronic.
Has anyone dealt with something similar? Did it fully resolve for you? Would really appreciate any advice, tips, or shared recovery stories.
Thank you.
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I'm so sorry you're having these issues. Very Frustrating. I had something similar post vacation,left ear plugged, hearing impaired, popping, on 2 rounds of antibiotics before I saw ENT. I had fluid in my ear canal and had a tube placed to drain the fluid. Holy moly it was like night and day It's been 18 months, I'm on my second ear tube and feeling great. I see the ENT next month and we will see what he has to say. Good luck to you.
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1 ReactionI have had the popping, clicking and sensitivity to altitude all my life. Finally found out why about 10 years ago. My Eustachian tube on right side is deformed. It is too small. Nothing I can do about it, except live with it. Has you had your Eustachian tube size measured by an ENT specialist?
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1 ReactionThanks for sharing that. In my case, the issue hasn't been lifelong, it started more recently. It's likely related to sinus problems, as they've been inflamed. An ENT prescribed me Lincocin, so I'm hoping that helps clear things up. Sorry to hear yours has been a lifelong condition, that must be tough to manage day to day.
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2 ReactionsYour sensitivity to altitude changes indicates your Eustachian tube is not opening normally with the pressure differential between atmospheric and that in the middle ear. I’ve had this problem off and on for decades, particularly on one side. Two things have helped me to get those tubes opening, after recovering from a cold: pseudoephedrine, 30 mg tablet, taking one or two every six hours or so. It’s a vasoconstrictor and decongestant and helps open up the tubes, but it may take a few days. There are the side effects of making you a bit jittery. After a a day or two, try to “pop” your ear, i.e., pinch your nostrils to force air through the tube into the middle ear (equalize). If you’re not familiar with this, ask your ENT specialist, and be careful; it only takes a tiny amount of air. One thing I discovered in desperation while scuba diving and not being able to equalize: if the trouble was on one side, I could equalize more easily by bending my head down towards my shoulder on the opposite side, before popping. I don’t know why this works (but it also worked for a friend who was having trouble equalizing after a plane flight), but I might be stretching something near the tube, but it worked. Now as your working on the tube, pop your ear several times a day; this helps get it opening properly, and will work together with the pseudoephedrine, which may become unnecessary.
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1 ReactionI also found bending my head down to opposite side helps. I also massage between my jaw and ear (just under ear). Sometime it helps. Drinking plenty of water helps also.
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1 ReactionThanks for sharing your similar observation. There you have it, our scientific study proves it, with n=2.
Thanks a lot for your detailed response — that was actually very helpful to read.
In my case, the symptoms started only a few months ago (not lifelong), and I’m recovering from what was diagnosed as chronic sinus inflammation, which probably triggered the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. I’ve just finished a round of antibiotics (Lincocin), and my sinuses feel about 50–60% better now, although the ear pressure has slightly worsened again — likely because more secretions are now draining and irritating the tube.
I’ve also noticed that chewing sometimes significantly reduces the pressure, and the sensation can switch sides (left to right), which makes me think there’s no anatomical deformity involved — more like fluctuating inflammation or drainage imbalance.
I did take pseudoephedrine (Rinasek, in my country) for 10 days and it really helped, but now that I’ve stopped, symptoms are returning mildly.