Balloon dilation of eustachian tube blockage

Have you tried it yourself yet? If so, what happend and is there a specific frequency to use? 

Hi Andy

Just finished my 5th round of antibiotics.  My ears feel lots better.  Starting to hear better and the popping, crackle not as annoying but still irritating.

Still waiting for tuning fork.  Not happy.

Have ordered middle C and 1 octave up C.

 

Thank you for your response. I'm glad you're feeling a lot better. I have an appointment with my ENT next week. I'll bring up the tuning forks. Wondering what he's gonna say...

Please keep me posted one your tuning fork activities.

Does the frequency matter?  Have you had to repeat procedure, I'm guessing not if you had that much drainage.  Continuing improvement?

I'm going to do this next week.

Hi Andy, tuning forks don't generally work, it was just luck that near the time Leila's ears were about to drain, the vibrations from the tuning fork set it off. You can put your head on a washing machine and it would be just as likely (and probably unlikely) to work. It is so great that it worked for Leila and there is no harm in trying to use vibrations or soundwaves to unblock your ears but don't waste money on it, defintely don't bother buying a tuning fork and perhaps don't tell your ENT or he will just snub you. The medical field hate do-it-yourself information from the internet. They hear it from many clients and I have found it is not appreciated. You can ask how it worked and they can tell you, but it is much like a vibrational tank that is used to clean instruments/hearing aid moulds/dentures. The waves move particles.

Dr Weeks in SAN Diego.

There are clinics and respected hospitals who do this procedure successfully.  Just keep searching and don't listen to an ENT who does not perform it and tells you it doesn't exist.  That was my experience with the ENT in Lewiston Idaho,  I am going to Seattle for the sinuplasty

Go to the Acclarent web page and contact them. I did and the local representative in my area emailed me. When I called him he gave me doctors that are trained. The downside is they will be less experienced than Poe or Weeks or ones doiong it experimentally in the past. For Acclarent to sell their AERA product they have to train the doctor is what the rep told me. I hope that helps and good luck

I have been diagnosed by Dr Weeks with ETD. The balloon used to do the surgery is not covered by BCBS, and I have the Federal plan. Dr Weeks charges $3000 for the balloon. I can appeal the denial with insurance but cannot afford it now. He believes my ears will heal on their own and my hearing is somewhat better but still get that plugged feeling particularly when pressure in the atmosphere changes like when it rains. I blame this condition partly on the use of a cpap which I no longer have to use because of the incredible surgery he did on my sinuses and throat. It was extremely painful but I can breathe so much better like when I was young. My tinnitus is also gone so I am a very happy camper and can only say Dr Weeks is an incredible surgeon and a genuinely good guy.

Hi Jto.....I have an appointment with Dr. Weeks in February & I hope & pray he will be able to help me. I have eustachian tube dysfunction.

Question......when you say that he charges $3000 does that mean for everything....or just the balloon.

My insurance Co said if he is a preferred doctor with them they would cover....I checked and he is, but now I'm wondering if the actual balloon isn't covered??

The cost of the balloon was $3000 and because the procedure is so new they said I would be denied the cost of the balloon and would have to appeal it. There is no code for the procedure yet, you can verify this by calling Dr. Weeks office. Try to get a code from your insurance for the procedure and if you can let me know it, no luck with mine.

OK......I'm glad you gave me this information because both doctors office and my insurance company led me to believe that it would be 80% or more coverage.

I will look into this further after Christmas and get a billing code for the actual balloon.

I live in Hawaii... my insurance is called HMSA it's with blue Cross Blue Shield. Doctor weeks is a preferred doctor with them but I gotta find out about this balloon dilation

I'll let you know what I find out...but every ones medical insurance is different?

Aloha & Merry Christmas

That's so interesting. I thought Australia was way behind the US with this procedure because we don't have a code, but obviously it takes some time. I hope they hurry up. It's a procedure that is going to be used frequently. xx

Hello, I suffer from tinnitus that came on with ear fullness and clicking. I made an appointment with dr weeks in mid january, but I am scared wondering if he will be able to help me, or if it'll be another dead end. What did he do that got rid of your tinnitus? Thanks in advance!

I checked with my insurance UHC and Dr Weeks is in network but they told me that because there is not a code for the surgery yet I will have to appeal to get it paid. 

I live in GA and a ticket to San Diego would cost me $400 dollars, so i guess... i can start saving up money till there is a code for it.

Thanks for your reply JTO, i wish you the best.

Someone sent me a link to an article about the FDA approving this procedure for insurance's. Maybe not all insurances are approving it, but it did say it was FDA approved now.  Good luck!

Cpt code is 69799

Icd-10 code is h69.83

But Dr Weeks' office should get pre cert for you. He's been billing insurance forever so he'll know, but just in case I happen to know how to code.

Hey Kim....Thanks

What does CPT & ICF mean?

I recognize the first code because we tried it with BCBS to no avail. The other code I'm not familiar with. What other insurance companies have approved this is my question?

It's just billing codes. They must have a way of billing that ins companies will pay.

You'd have to contact their billing specialist.

Do you have bcbs or united? If you have both I'd have them get a pre south through united, they seem to be easier to get approvals through.

So you did not have balloon surgery. I'm jealous my surgery gave me tinnitus and swallowing issues. What throats procedure did you have done if you don't mind me asking?

Had a long talk with their billing specialist and I do understand the code system. To get this approved Dr Weeks needs a peer to peer talk with BCBS concerning the procedure and they need supporting documentation in order for BCBS to approve it.

There is a video on YouTube for sleep apnea with Dr Weeks performing the surgery, that is the surgery I had along with sinus surgery. Go to YouTube and do a search Dr Weeks sleep apnea.

Do you know if they use the same balloon as they do for sinuplasty or is it different?

My guess is it is a different balloon since they have no code for the balloon. They have codes to get all the way to where the balloon needs to go but none for the balloon itself.

Hi Kelly,

I just set up an appointment to have the ETD balloon dilation surgery with Dr Weeks in March. I have a pre-op appointment with Weeks in February and pre-op appointment with the hospital the same day as well. Just had my tax return done and so I will use it for this surgery $3000 ouch, finally......Have you been to your appointment with Weeks yet? Did you find out about the cost of your insurance for this procedure? All my other cost are covered except the golden balloon, LOL....Everytime a low pressure system comes in my ears get worse, driving me crazy. Glad I only live an hour away from Weeks.

Hi!!

What are your symptoms?

When did it start?

Just curious to know your story and please let me know if this procedure works for you

Hi jto,

   I am still waiting to have an MRI which is scheduled for the 13th of this month, last night I had what seemed to be a break thru with the euthachian tube I hear cracking then some liquid which burned my throat and I could taste blood. I have had tubes in but was having blood come out of the ear on the right side. I'm going to house ear clinic in LA, I also have a heart problem and only want surgery 1 time, so after I get MRI results I will Contact DrWeeks office. Please keep me updated on your surgery. I've had this problem for the last 5 years and it has never cleared and I also have it in both ears. I've been crazy for a while, it is so annoying 

Aloha jto

My appointment is February 24th. How did you make appointment for procedure before your consultation with Dr. Weeks? How would he know if you're a candidate for it?

I'm still confused on what a truly have...my ENT doctor first said eustachian tube dysfunction and when I went back to him last week...he said that medication wasn't working maybe you have TMJ.....WTH??

I'm so upset....who will tell me what I have? Booked flights, hotel, car and not sure now what I truly have??

Even TMJ is hard to know 100%

I will update after the surgery, I understand all too well the craziness this condition can cause.

First, make sure your appointment is with Dr. Weeks and not his assistant, though she is very good. If you're coming all the way to San Diego you want to make sure it's with Weeks. I can tell you my symptoms started out with distortion like too much treble or a tinny sound. Then one day I woke up and felt like I had ear plugs in my ear. I went and to my local ENT and he sent me to have my hearing checked. I had it checked 3 months earlier because of the distortion I was hearing, but checked out okay. This time the look on the guys face giving me the test couldn't believe how much hearing I had lost in 3 months and it was in both ears. He ended up giving me hearing aids which my insurance paid for 100 percent. I stopped using them in a couple days, amplified distortion, sounded terrible. After seeing 2 ENTS I came across Weeks, long story. He did an incredible job on my sinuses and throat surgery to cure my sleep apnea, which may have been the cause of my ETD from high air pressure cpap freakin machine which I tossed into the ocean and no longer need. Just kidding, it's in the closet still. Cant' tell you how good it is to breathe normal now. Tried using sprays and time to heal, didn't work. Ears would crack like something was breaking inside, that seems to have diminished now and my ears are really plugged and hearing is getting worse. He did a test where he poked a hole in my ear drum and I document my experience. The pressure initially grows in that ear he pierced but after a few hours it popped and my hearing became somewhat better in that ear for a short period of time. The hole heals up in 3 days and you can tell the difference. My pre-op appointment is Feb 22nd, missed you by 2 days. He should be able to diagnose you, bring all records and write down what your ears are doing. Hope this helps kelly.

Kelly they said tmj for me also but I've done the night gauard, mussel relaxers and injections to my jaw!

I do believe I clench but I also believe the stress of this crackling and poping make me clench

Miss00623

So do you have TMJ and eustachian tube dysfunction?

My ENT doctor just made things worse....I would like to know if I have TMJ or eustachian tube dysfunction before I spend thousands and thousands of dollars?? I just spent $400 for a splint to rule out TMJ before I fly to San Diego.

This is all so upsetting.....I need a proper diagnoses.

How did this start Kelly?

Here's my story.....

I was 5 months pregnant and I got a cold that turned into a sinus infection that turned into an ear infection (I swear that nedi med sinus rinse caused this or helped with causing it)

The ent said it would go away in 6 weeks and it didn't then they said it would go away after my pregnancy and it didn't.

I went to an allergist and I have no allergies. I went to a tmj physical therapists and spent a lot of money on him.....still have it.

Went to a chiropractor for TMJ and still have it.

I got an expensive night guard and still have the crackling and popping.

It's absolutely horrible!

No one really knows what's causing it but I've know rilles out every possibility.

I believe I have both TMJ and ETD

I feel like the ETD makes me clench my jaw over the stress of ETD. I can also tell you when they first told me that I had ETD I chewed gum like it was my job and I'm sure that didn't help my TMJ

The last research I did on my own was that gastric reflux can cause this and so can obesity....

Fat pockets from obesity....who knows.

I'm in Pennsylvania and I don't think our doctors here know enough on ETD

I don't think many doctors do the balloon but I'm feeling like that is going to be my last ditch effort.

To feel normal again.

I feel like I read a lot of these forums and it starts to make me depressed wondering how I can live like this forever. There are so many of us who have had no relief. Makes me sad.

What's your story? How did this start?

Do you feel like your ears are plugged and is your hearing worse. Do all the sounds you hear sound normal or is there some tinny or distorted sound. Are the sounds muffled? I can't hear if someone said bee or tree, call or wall because the pressure inside my ear is not working correctly, the ear drum cannot vibrate properly, this is what ETD is like for me and is the basic definition of it.

Caught a cold in September.....a week into it is felt my ears plug up....muffled, heard my own voice in my head. Went to doctor and he said eardrums are fine....gave me antibiotics. No change. Went back a second time and he gave me sudafed and prednisone. Nothing. He then gave me nasal spray. I passed the hearing test...ears weren't as muffled but popping and clicking constantly. No ear infection no fluid in middle ear. I've seen 5 primary Doctor's...2 ENT doctor's and a dentist.

The 2nd ENT says I have eustachian tube dysfunction? Told me to use a Nedi pot. Nothing? Then next visit he says maybe it's TMJ.

I can't clear (pop) my ears....there's pressure in my ears....clicking and popping. This has given me anxiety. So many "might be's" that I'm ready to go crazy!!! Where do I go for answers?

I think you should keep your appointment and see what dr. Weeks says I think because it started with a cold it's ETD

my hearing goes back and forth so times I think I hear ok other times. My head feels full of pressure.  The crackling is what causes me aniety. 

I went through rounds of steroids and antibiotics with no relief 

i wish I could see dr weeks 

Do you live on the east coast? There's Dr. POE in Boston.

I don't know how my ears will be on the plane......hope my head doesn't explode....LOL.....can't drive...I'm in Honolulu. Money is always an issue in life..unless you're rich. We have had to take out a loan....I've been out of work since November...between my ears and the anxiety this had given me I need to find some answers.

I think you have ETD from what I have experienced. Your hearing should be compromised some of the time. There were times when my hearing seemed almost normal for a period and then it quickly became plugged and has been that way since. The clicking noise was with me for awhile but is gone now, just muffled sound. My ears pop but still have hearing reduced and they still feel plugged if that makes sense. He should be able to give the answers you're looking for, he is a really good doctor and a great guy who cares. My brother lives in Honolulu, a psychologist, in case you're going crazy with ETD. LOL. Just had to throw that in, no laughing matter I know. I believe you will get your diagnosis though so I hope your trip is successful and safe.

I sure hope and pray he can help me....I want my life back!!

Are you on Facebook....I am under Kelly Doyle-Harper. Where does your brother have his practice? I might need a good quack if this doesn't get better.

My Primary doctor wants me to take zoloft.....I've been resisting because 1. I don't want to take those kind of medications. 2. I've never had anxiety attacks until this ear problem.

So hard to believe in this day in age that there's not an easier solution....so many people suffering over this and there's very few doctors that can help....not everyone has the money to fly from state to state, then have to pay out of pocket for procedure.

I'm in Pennsylvania

When exactly is your appointment?

Make sure you take a lot of sudafed before you get on the plane

The kind behind the counter

The good kind you need ID for

I sent you a friend request

Hey!! How long did you have the crackling and about how long into ETD did it go away?

I'm 2 years this March

I'm sorry Kelly

I thought you asked me if I was on Facebook

Sorry

I saw that but wouldn't let me accept it?? So I sent u a friend request.

My appointment is February 24th. If I'm a candidate for the procedure I would have to fly back........crazy....not cheap...gotta take a loan out....pray that it's the answer to my problems.

Could u go to Boston to see Dr. POE?

I did ask...I saw your request but it wouldn't let me accept it??? So I sent you one.

Thanks....good to know....I'm not traveling this far and paying for this expense to see his assistant. I'll call to make sure.

I've faxed all my medical records pertaining to my ears already....I'm scared to fly with these ears....😣😣😣

I sent you a friend request Kelly. My brother is actually working with the military so he has no office for private patients. My anxiety level is up a notch for sure and understand this issue too well. 

Sorry....I deleted your friend request by mistake.....send it again...

You don't have any crackling now?

How long have you had this and how long before the crackling stops

I had it for about a year and a half and then it just stopped. Many variables here since I had sinus and throat surgery by DR Weeks in January 2016

Sent you a PM by facebook messenger.

Hey Kim

What procedure dud you have done?

I just found a Dr in Fayetteville NY. another ENT Dr in NY referred me & said he's the only Dr in NY that has an expertise in TMJ Sleep Apnea Vertigo. so I went Friday. he took his time with me. did different things. he thinks I have a few things going on but also said I definitly have ETD & he discussed the balloon procedure. He said I would have to be put out for it but he will try in evasive things first. I loved this Dr & it's the 1st Dr that has given me hope as I started getting vertigo last summer & some ear pain. Then Thanksgiving I had severe ear pain & bad vertigo for over a month. saw many Dr's & each said something different. I finally had relief for a month with no symptoms but am back having symptoms again just not as bad. I get ear fullness. I have alot of sinus mucus. always feel stuffed in my nose. But I feel air moving thru my face and it hurts! the wind also will make me feel off balance. I did begin to have some anxiety & it has changed my lifestyle as I never know when I'll get dizzy & that scares me alot. I'm sensitive to sound also. I'm so affraid of losing my hearing. Thanks for all the info on this as I just got on here. it's been very helpful. Dr weeks sounds very good but I cannot afford the trip. But for any1 else who. ant also this Dr in Fayetteville (near Syracuse NY) was awesome.

I found a dr. In New York

Dr. Setzan what is the name of the dr. Near Syracuse?

I couldn't find any other dr. Doing the dialation near me

My sister has ear pain and severe vertigo. She said her doctor wanted to do a test where they put her in a table and spin it. She had a panic attack thinking about it and didn't go. I've googled but I can't figure out what she's talking about. I found info on a tilt table and a chair that looks like a gyroscope. I can't find anything else.

She said she rarely leaves the house and is afraid to drive.

There's a shame.

I have ETD and need to find a doctor in pa who does the balloon dialation and someone I can afford.

Look up dr. Ian Purcell in SAN Diego. He has one of those gyroscope chairs.

You sound like you are describing exactly what I'm going thru. Dr Sall is wonderful and he is getting to the bottom of what is going on. he is very patient and his expertise is in TMJ vertigo sleep apnea. he was a dentist and now is a ENT Dr. He is the only Dr in NY that specializes in this. he has another Dr in with him also. he is in Fayetteville NY. it's basically Syracuse NY. I'm so scared I'm going to lose my hearing. so I get your anxiety but the way I control mine is I'm thankful it's not cancer. I don't think you would be disappointed by him. Good luck

For the record, Dr. Hamed Sanjjadi in San Jose, CA has done 200 tyboplasties, starting in 2011, with a reported success rate of 70-80% (same as Poe at Harvard). Got him from Acclarent. 

Is tyboplasties the same as dilation?  I haven't heard that word before? 

 

Yes, eustachian tuboplasty = eistachian dilation. I misspelled it in my prior post. There are other types of tuboplasties, like arterial and fallopian tubeoplasty. 

I am reading your post and it is EXACTLY line by line what I have gone through. I am also looking into the balloon as my last ditch effort. I have Kaiser, so I'm debating on switching insurance or paying out of pocket. I either need to switch next month, or wait another year. I may wait to make sure I have tried all options before surgery. I am doing acid reflux medication now. I had it awful with both pregnancies and I get it from any acidic foods. And my ear is worst in the morning. 

 

Unfortunately, insurance will not pay for dilation surgery so I don't recommend changing insurance companies yet. Dr Weeks in San Diego would be the first place to go for a consultation if you can afford to and maybe give you some insight as to whether you need to switch insurance companies. I had the surgery done and it has helped my ears but not completely fixed them.