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History of problems.

Posted , 6 users are following.

chiddyj
chiddyj

Hi All,

Just putting my story out there to see if anyone else has been in the same boat to regarding deafness in the right ear.

I’ve had issues with my right ear since I can last remember and went through childhood going through operations to fix my left ear.

When I was 12 I used my right ear alot due to my left ear issues, however one day after being on a mobile phone all day (A love interest which I regret) my right ear went deaf! I could only hear things close to my ear, but that was a struggle

Stupidly I never got my right ear checked out due to the life issues with my left ear and I used my left ear to help a lot once fixed (But can only hear 75%). I’m now a married man with a toddler daughter but I’m struggling to hear her, plus my work is getting affected with my new role, to be fair I had this issue for years.

Weirdly come Easter 2 years ago, I got full hearing back on my right ear, it lasted for 2 weeks (Was in hearing heaven) however during the last final days it felt like bubbles at the back of my ear and every few hours to get my hearing back I had to tilt my head backwards to regain my hearing, however after those 2 weeks i went back deaf again in my right ear.

I am now back at the hospital to see what this issue is and was wondering if anyone has experienced this before? (I hardly doubt it but worth a ask)

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • marlene21102
    marlene21102 chiddyj

    Posted

    Think your tubes sound blocked,as you said your hearing came back.ENT need to have a look  and get a hearing test same visit.so wait and see what they suggest,I've got maskers as I've got tinnitus,have you had any ,hissing,ringing in your ears Chiddy since this began ?if yes you need to tell ENT,also any ear pain.
    • chiddyj
      chiddyj marlene21102

      Posted

      Hey Marlene, thanks for getting back to me! Much appreciated! I forgot to mention I don't get any ear infections or any issues just feels like it's blocked, I recently had an ear test and confirmed I'm pretty deaf in my right ear. I have a CT Petrous scan in 3 weeks time, not sure what that is but hopefully a step forward to knowing what the issue is. 
  • carmel83758
    carmel83758 chiddyj

    Posted

    Hi Chiddy. It sounds like the eustachiian tube is blocked. have you tried an ear popper? Or steam being inhalled through the ear?
    • chiddyj
      chiddyj carmel83758

      Posted

      Hey Carmel, thanks also for replying.Isn't  Eustachian tube just a temporary issue? I've had this for many years you're talking 15+. I been on many planes and it's never popped, but I'm interested to know what a ear popper is? Or steam smile 
    • carmel83758
      carmel83758 chiddyj

      Posted

      It can be blocked for along time, until it is unblocked. An ear popper is a sort of vibrator that runs by batteries. You set it to which number you prefer - a mild vibration or a full on one and hold it against the back of the ear. It is suipposed to help the liquid to wobble down from it. It has no side effects. I got mine on amazon. In my case it doesnt work but it was worth a try and it works for many others. I have had probllems with my right ear for years, on and off, am sick and tired of it. The idea of steam is to hold your head over a bowl of hot water and let the steam go into your ear. Some say it helps them. Hope you feel better soon.
    • chiddyj
      chiddyj carmel83758

      Posted

      Awesome advice! Thanks Carmel! Will give both of them a try! how long would you say to keep your head over a bowl of hot water? 
    • carmel83758
      carmel83758 chiddyj

      Posted

      I supose the longer the better? Cant do any harm. To be hionest sa youve had it so long I doubt it will help but its worth a try and dont cost anythng.
    • mark357
      mark357 carmel83758

      Posted

      Hi carmel83758

      Hope that you don't mind me contacting you, but I could help but notice the advice regarding the steam in the ear.

      My history is that I have been suffering with tinitus for many years of at least 20+ years but over the past 4+ months it has got worse and after each attack I lose my hearing for up to two minutes and both ear's are affected.

      I have seen my GP and he immediately referred me to the ENT specialist as both ear drums are perforated to the extent that it has happened some time ago and has not repaired it self. But they weep like a gooey liquid.

      My question is, would the steam help my ears in your opinion?

  • chiddyj
    chiddyj

    Posted

    So.... A year later this is my story.

    I posted my initial discussion about my right ear going mostly deaf and had some great replies from users, however none did work and still had issues.

    My consultant put me through many investigations such as MRI Scan, CT Scan etc, and came to the conclusion he wasn't sure why my right ear has gone so deaf… He instead provided me with a hearing aid which had improved my right ear hearing massively. However it still didn't answer why I went mostly deaf....

    My consultant shifted his attention to my left ear, he was concerned to the fact that every time he saw me I had bad infections. The infections didn’t hurt nor did it leak fluid. I've explained to him I’ve had previous mastoid operations and my last one was a radical mastoidectomy which was going back at least 13 years ago.

    I didn’t really want to have another operation on the left but my consultant said if I didn’t treat or remove the infections aka cholesteatoma I would lose my hearing in the next 10 years. To be fair I did have issues with my hearing totally when my left ear became blocked but didn’t really notice as I was so use to it.

    After speaking with my wife I agreed to have the surgery which was happening on the 4th Sept 2015 for a modified radical mastoidectomy.

    On the day of the operation before I entered theatre and prepared to go down my consultant surprised me and said “I know what is up with your right ear” he said that the stapes which is the third bone of the threeossicles is damaged… And said he can provide an operation to replace the stapes.

    I couldn’t believe it! My emotions got played with massively that day I had it all from fear to surprise, relief and finally anger. I just didn’t know why I wasn’t told sooner? I could only guess the consultant being under t NHS can only assessed someone by only having 10 mins a time due to timescales/sla. When my consultant was waiting for me he probably had a lot of time to check my scans and records and finally noticed what was up.

    I had the left ear operation which was a success and was sent home the same day. It didn’t stop there however!! My recovery was not what as I expected!! After a two week of the operation, my surgical cut from behind the ear became REALLY painful and frobbing with bad oozing and turned out it was infected and was put on oral antibiotics.

    After 2 more weeks on medication, behind my ear was really deformed badly and I had two holes including over granulation. I was hospitalised  for 5 days on IV antibiotics (For anyone who doesn’t know that’s a needle straight into the veins) and got provided wound gel for behind the ear. This did stop the oozing and totally changed the look of the surgical wound. On the day I either had a choice to wait 3 months or have surgery to close the wound which was 50/50, but due to missing my kids & wife I chose to wait it out 3 months.

    3 months passed and the wound did sort of heal but left what medical terms call a post aural fistula (Google it if you wish) it’s basically a hole behind the ear so I basically had 2 insertions into my mastoid cavity.  

    I had no option but to go with surgery to close the fistula which I had the surgery on the 14th Jan 2016. The operation was a success and as I speak I’m still healing. The operation itself was to remove some muscle from behind my head and place over the hole and stretch the skin with a rotation flap.

    As I heal I’m still waiting to see from my consultant if the operation is still available to have, but after all the issues I’ve had with my left ear I’m still in two minds to just stick with a hearing aid for my right ear.

    That’s my story so far and I’ll keep you all posted. It would be good if anyone had similar issues or someone who actually had a stapes replacement, if it was successful or a failure? Anyway thanks for reading.

    • jennyD82
      jennyD82 chiddyj

      Posted

      Hi child, I'm pretty new to this forum so it's the first time I've seen your post. I'm sorry you've been thru so much with your ears . It's great that you have a good family to keep you focused on healing.

      My husband has mastoiditis and his ENT suggested surgery for him but he didn't want to have it because he was concerned with any complications that might arise. He just copes the best he can. He has tubes in his ears so the fluid can drain because he also eustachain tube dysfunction which makes it hard for it to drain thru them. He eats healthy, exercises and stretches and try to stay positive.

      I think the is a post on this forum about a states procedure. I hope your recovery goes well. Keep hugging your family, they are your best medicine!!

      ,

    • chiddyj
      chiddyj jennyD82

      Posted

      Hi Jenny,

      Thanks for your post it's much appreciated smile

      To be fair the operation has improved my left hearing weirdly, it was just ashame I developed a wound infection. I glad your husband is coping well with the issues he has.

      Take care.

    • chris11339
      chris11339 chiddyj

      Posted

      hi Chiddy this sounds so similar 2 my journey I hate my ears so much for the pain they have caused me.

      I had t tubes fitted 4 days ago after many grommet insertions 2 stop another chlosteatoma and help with my hearing loss but have taken a nasty infection in 1 ear so the docs don't know if this tube will stay in as there's a lot of pus which she says could push the tube out (no more if that happens) I will call it a day I also have hearing aids but for me due to eustanian dysfunction they don't work as noise is unable to get through.

      I am now in my 40s and have suffered since childhood hoping the tube doesn't fall out and for a while at least I can be free of pain

      take care.

    • chiddyj
      chiddyj chris11339

      Posted

      Hi Chris, 

      Thanks for your repsonse.

      Hopefully you'll get better soon and the t tubes will work out for you. I've got my fingers crossed.

      As we speak my operation 2 weeks ago has been a success, my hearing has improved in my left after the main operation and the post fistula (Hole) is completely gone. My consultant has done a sterling job.

      I have my hospital appointment tomorrow and should find out whats happening going forward.

      Have a good week.

    • chris11339
      chris11339 chiddyj

      Posted

      hi Chiddy. how did your hospital appointment go hoping it's all good news for u.

      I am going back to doctors tmrw as this ear is still very sore I was hoping for some improvement by now

      take care

    • chiddyj
      chiddyj chris11339

      Posted

      Hi Chris,

      Yeah, the hospital went good actually. My masteroid cavity is clear & the canal wall has been removed... So I can clearly cannot get water into my ear. Currently looking for swim plugs for showers etc but having no luck.

      I'm still getting shooting pains from where they've removed the muscle from the side of my head to cover the hole, it's not great but it's doable pain and the consultant was fine with it.

      He mentioned surgery for my right ear but I said to leave it for a few months before I agree anything after everything that has happened. Consultant said I have scarring on my eardrum from an old infection apparently and mentioned a replacement for the stapes.

      Hope your appointment goes well, really push them if you're in pain, that's what I did wrong which left me being hospitalised. Good luck.

    • chris11339
      chris11339 chiddyj

      Posted

      hi Chiddy I have always found the best way to plug your ear so it's free of any water is to place cotton wool in your ear and smear vaseline over it all it can be tricky at 1st but you soon get it done in seconds the ear plugs from shops never completely keep them dry. how hard is it though to keep ears dry when all you want to do is enjoy a nice shower without the palaver

      great news about your successful op the shooting pains will eventually get better I only ever feel it now at hairdressers when having my hair washed as they dig in lol.

      i have new antibiotics think doctor thought I was being a bit neurotic when I went back in until she looked in my ears then her attitude changed she even advised taken more pain relief as said that will be very sore I have to give it a few more days on new anti b if no better I've to return and will send me to see ENT specialist could mean having the tubes removed as on Saturday only 1 ear was infected but the left now has infection starting..

      take care

    • chris11339
      chris11339

      Posted

      and I clearly don't know my left from my right as infection started in left and now showing the right is becoming infected

      let's just say it's the pain relief that mixed me up haha

    • chiddyj
      chiddyj chris11339

      Posted

      Could they not put you on IV's if orals do not work? When i was hospitlised i didn't enjoy being on IV's one bit but it stopped the infection massively, maybe that could work? I'm not the expert, but i only got good phrase for IV's. Just found the hospital say boring lol.

      Hope you get better soon.

    • chris11339
      chris11339 chiddyj

      Posted

      that's what they intend to do in a few days I hope these antibiotics work though as I like yourself hate hospital but at the same time I want to keep the hearing I do have so if no change I will go back and have iv antibiotic as my fear is this infection effects my hearing although the doctor today said it was very crusty so I know that's a good sign as on Saturday there was a lot of pus so it's obviously starting to heal and dry out

      it was the simplest procedure I didn't even intend 2 need time off work but health over wealth springs 2 mind

    • chiddyj
      chiddyj chris11339

      Posted

      I've had 3 weeks off work so far,

      back Monday though and actually looking forward to it oddly! Hope the antibiotics are going well. Keep us updated how you get on.

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