Balloon dilation of eustachian tube blockage

Hello Janice or anyone living in Washington State,

?I'm still feeling pressure buildups around the back of my ear, which I suspect is related to Eustachian Tube Disorder.  I would like to ask for recommendation of an experienced doctor in the Seattle or vicinity that has performed either the Eustachian ?Tube Balloon Dilation or Myringotomy (ear tube I believe?) procedures.  

?Anyone can offer some tips to alleviate ear pressure to the back of my ear?  I've been suffering from this pain for 5 months now.  Any help would be much appreciated.

Blessings.

-JL

?Your help

Olizzieo...

I'm hoping you might be able to tell me of the ENT in Australia that does this procedure?

I've been looking around and can't seem to find any mention of it on anyones site here.

If you contact Acclarent they are the company that sell the balloons etc for balloon dilation and will be able to tell you where the nearest ENT is located, to assess if you are suitable.

Thanks for the info.

I can't find any success stories on balloon dialation or any reviews on Balloon dialation good or bad at all.

I think it's such early days that there is not a lot of research. It will be interesting to see what comes out in the next couple of years.

I think the reason you don't read a lot of success stories here is because, once someone has had the surgery and it was successful, they never come back to the forum. Thats why i go on some of these forums periodically, just to let people know that it was successful for me. I've heard from a few other people that had the surgery and it worked for them too. My surgery was over 5 yrs ago.  I imagine the procedure is having more and more success as they do more of them.  And with the FDA approval, more Insurance's are starting to pay for it.  Sometimes, its hard coming back on these forums, knowing i found relief and seeing everyone else struggling....i know how hard ETD is....all i can do is try to give everyone a little bit of hope, and encourage you to stay positive and don't give up! 

I agree with Diana.....there's not to many on this site period.....now that it's been FDA approved...let's just pray we start hearing more........5 days more and I will see Dr. Weeks and pray he can diagnose me and help me.....I WANT MY LIFE BACK! Not sure what's worse the ETD or the anxiety.

Hi Diana....Well, I saw Dr. Weeks yesterday and he is one amazing guy! Loved him...his PA is wonderful as well.

He said I'm a perfect candidate for the procedure and I have all the classic symptoms. He said he is here for me and will help me!! He will work to squeeze me in and work extra to make sure I get the procedure done so I don't have to fly back to San Diego from Hawaii.

Will keep everyone posted on the progress.....I need to get 2 CT'S done Tuesday or Wednesday....yippee 😀😀😀😀

That's great Kelly.  I'm excited for you!! Please keep in touch and let us know how your procedure goes. He is a pretty amazing dr!  Good luck!

Kelly, what are your symptoms? I have an appointment with a doctor that does the balloon dilation next Friday. I'm afraid I will be told I don't qualify and be stuck like this forever.

Hi Diana, besides pressure in you ears and muffled hearing, I'm assuming this of course, did you have a retracted ear drum, what does he look for before doing this? Also, did he know the cause, was it structural, inflammation, mucus? Any idea? All ear dr''s say I'm perfect candidate, yet the ones who do it are all hesitant. My ear drums are always sucked in, but last two times I went, they looked normal, Murph's law.

I have retracted ear drums.  I can't remember the percentages but my right was quite a bit worse than my left.  When I am in my car my right ear pulls and hurts.  As soon as I get out it eases up but takes a little while to go away completely.  

My left ear sounds like I am hearing everything through an ear plug.  Drinking and chewing are LOUD inside my head.  Sometimes when I swallow one or both ears will pull or click.  When it's both ears and I swallow it feels like my face is being sucked towards them.  Sometimes I can pop them and sometimes I can't.  

Today my ears haven't been too bad but I've had a ridiculous amount of thick mucous that makes it difficult to swallow.  

Another thing is I will be watching tv or talking to someone and my ears will dim.  I don't know how to explain it other than it's like a light bulb when the power is threatening to go out.  I can hear OK and suddenly everything just changes.  Sometimes it comes right back.  Others it takes a while.  

How many doctors have you seen that actually do the surgery?

Not tubes the balloon dialation surgery?

I just went to Dr Sall in NY who suggested I may need the balloon also. I loved him.

He does the procedure?

I'm about 5 hours from Syracuse.

yes he does and I've been to several doctors since Nov on my condition with no luck and he was wonderful. he spent an hour with me. he said you are put out for the procedure. He is the only Doctor in NY state that specializes in these things. that is what another ENT Dr told me. he sent me right to him. He is on Medical Center Drive in Fayetteville NY

When do you go to see him?

I looked on his website and it didn't say anything about balloon dilation for eustachian tube dysfunction.

( not that it has to I don't believe Dr. weeks has anything on his website either )

I haven't looked at his website. He told me I Def have ETD & he explained the balloon procedure and explained why they don't put tubes in so much anymore. You should call them and ask for confirmation but he has told me all about it. He is going on Vacation March 2 thru the 20th. let me know if you call and what they say ok.

I will!! When do you go?

Did they say how much it will cost?

I saw him Friday and I have chosen to try some in evasive things first as I just cannot jump into that. he said he understood. so we are trying other things. It was my first appt. he did a scope and allergy testing as well as I will be getting a sleep apnea device as I do have borderline sleep apnea. I also have TMJ sonhe said there cud be more than 1 thing causing my ear problem. he is very knowledgeable on all these things. so first things first. he said if all else fails then I should have the balloon. I've never heard of it before. it doesn't seem to bad from what he told me. I've had vertigo & ear pain & ear fullness on & off for over a year. then was hit with a bad I guess sinus inf over the holidays which I needed help walking as the vertigo was so bad & the ear pain was unbearable. took almost 2 months on meds & it went away for 1 month. now it's back. but I always have ear fullness. I also get air flowing thru my face and crackling. the air flow hurts. it's almost like going up and down in a plane. the wind hitting my ears cause vertigo also. not sure what your symptoms are but he said no doubt I have ETD.

Yes you definitely do.

The crackling is the worst for me.

I'm ready for the surgery.

It was finally FDA regulated in September 2016

I have had this for 2 year and it started with a bad cold, turned sinus infection, turned ear infection. I've tried ever everything. Allergy testing, night gaurd for TMJ. I definitely know I clench but I believe my ears and the anxiety from the ETD make me clench.

Thank God you had a good ent who referred you to another ent

That normally doesn't happen.

yes I was very thankful and shocked about the referral. and wow it sounds just like all of what you did. since this is fairly new to me I must go thru the invasive treatments first and be hopeful.

look me up on Facebook and please let me know how you make out. I will pray all goes well for you.

I private messaged you.

Hi Kim, i didn't do a lot of testing for the procedure. Dr. Weeks had already done sinus surgery on me for infection, which he cured.  I think he knew just from my symptoms over the last 3 yrs that they were not working correctly. I believe they were inflammed, because they stopped working after my first sinus surgery here in Utah by a diff dr. I came out of surgery with them not working, so i think they were inflammed and just never starting opening and closining on their own again.  

But they do now since your balloon dialation.... Right?

Yes. Since my e tube surgery they are working. Opening and closing every time on their own! 

I need to find a doctor who does this procedure by me.

I wish I could see dr. weeks.

I'm so far away from him

Thanks Diana

Hi Sally.....mine is pretty simple....I got a bad cold in September and a week later my eustachian tubes closed. Short version...went to 2 ENT'S and they gave me the typical protocol.....Sudafed, steroid nasal spray, prednisone....used steam...Nedi pot etc...Nothing.

I have never had ear infection, sinus infections, allergies....no ear tubes as a child.

I have clicking crackling popping in both ears. Had pain in both ears. Major headaches. Jaw pain. ANXIETY!!

Sally......tell me your story. Where do u live?

Where are u? In the states? 

Similar to yours.  Never had ear problems, sinus problems, no allergies for almost 18 years.  My first issues was a pain in the back of my head for a week and then a pain in the bone behind my ear.  I woke up and had a clogged right ear.  NP diagnosed ear infection.  I don't think I ever had one as I saw my family doctor two days later and said they were clear.  Then my left ear clogged.  Right for a week, then left, then both for several days.  I was having panic attacks and couldn't sit still.  I would leave my house and run around 24 hour stores to try and get my mind off of it.  One night my phone died and my daughter tried to call... panicked and called her 3 brothers so they were all out driving around looking for me!  When I got home I got a lecture.  lol  

Started sudafed and prednisone.  Saw an ENT and she said it was allergies and to go to an allergist.  Went to a 2nd ENT for another opinion.  He did a test and said my ear drums were retracted.  Right much worse than left.  He said allergies and go see an allergist.  He said to start taking allegra or claritin and flonase.  Went to an allergist and I was only allergic to dogs with a slight dust mite allergy.  She said go back to the ENT to discuss ear tubes.  WEnt back to the first ENT and she said my ears look "fine and healthy" and to go back to the allergist to get allergy shots.  I can't start allergy shots because I am living over 2 hours away from my home.  We have two dogs my husband won't get rid of so I am staying with my mother.  I tried to go home by I was absolutely miserable so I went to a hotel for 4 days and then back to my mom's house 2 weeks ago.   I don't know if my ears are just getting better on their own or if the allergens are finally out of my system.  The allergist told me the minimum amount of serum they mix is for 9 mos and insurance will only pay once so I would have to stay here for 9 mos to finish or go home and start.  

I am seeing a new ENT allergist on Tuesday and I have an appointment with an otolaryngologist in Louisville, KY that does the balloon dilation procedure on Friday.  Since they seem to bet getting better I might cancel the appointment on Friday depending on what the new ENT says.  

I've had the popping, cracking (sounds like glass breaking when I yawm to pop my etubes).  Sometimes when I swallow it feels like my face is being sucked towards my ears.  I have horrible pressure in my right when I'm in the car.  

I live near Indianapolis, IN but I am currently living near Evansville, IN.  

My husband and I are having issues over his refusal to get rid of the two dogs.  I want to go home but I don't want to be sick.  We still have two kids at home (16 and 18) and I would like to be there with them.  Plus I am getting a new grandbaby on March 10 that I am supposed to be the babysitter for but if I can't go home I can't even see him!  

Pennsylvania

No TMJ issues?

What is the total time since you first got sick?

I wouldn't cancel with the Kentucky dr.

At least you'll know all you need to know if it didn't go away.

I'm at 2 years this month.

And can't find a doctor close who does the balloon dialation procedure.

No TMJ. I started having problems at Christmas and the ear problems started New Year's Day.

Diana....he squeezed me in.....procedure is for next Monday!!! Unbelievable!!

That's awesome Kelly! I'll be patiently waiting to hear how it went! I know Dr. Weeks will take great care of u!!

Good luck today and let us know how you make out today and Friday.

Remember to ask Friday

How many balloon dialation procedures he's done and the outcomes or success rate of relieving symptoms

Hopefully he's done several since he's teaching others to do it!

Keep us posted.

Dr.Kao in State College, PA does the balloon dilation.

Hey Debra! Thanks for the info!

Have you had the procedure done by this doctor?

I have not but hope to in the future. I discussed it with him during my appt yesterday. I opted for tubes at this time which he did in office yesterday. He said I am the perfect candidate for the balloon dilation. I have suffered with ETD for many years. I have BC/BS insurance which he said is not covering the cost of the balloon , which is $2000. I did ask what the success rate was and he replied about 2/3 . Hoping insurance will start to cover the cost of the balloon

Hi Diana

I Saw Dr. Weeks yesterday for my pre-op. He said there might be a few weeks with inflammation and symptoms still there....was is like that for you?

Hi Kelly. My tubes were immediately popped open.  What a relief! But, in the first 6 weeks my ears did some crazy things. The would fill up, then pop, sometimes even squealing like a balloon.  Just have patience after the surgery. Don't blow your nose too hard or try to pop your ears open.  I believe that is how I irritated my tubes in the first place.  I just let them heal on thier own and they did. Even now, one ear may fill up for no reason. I just ignore it and let my body take care of it and it does. We have to remember our e tubes have kind of forgotten how to open and close on thier own.  The dilation just gives them a boost to opening & closing again on thier own. Mine took about 6 weeks to heal and have worked everytime since then. Can't wait to hear you are doing better!!

What is 2/3?

What made you not get the ballon dialation over the tubes and do the tubes make you symptom free? My worst sumt is the crackling.

How do you feel with the tubes? I talked to an ETD allergist yesterday and he said most of his patients that get tubes either don't like them or they don't work.

I hope you are a success story!

He said dilation is successful in two thirds of patients. We did not discuss how many patients he performed procedure on. I had alot of fluid in both ears from recent bout of flu. After tubes inserted, there was drastic immediate improvement. This is 3rd time in 4 yrs that Dr Kao has inserted tubes in my ears. I opted for the tubes again due to the cost. He said balloon was $2000, his fee $500 and then there would be cost of Operating room. It is performed under general anesthesia in same day surgery. If my insurance will cover in the future, I will have it done. Just don't want to incur such high costs with no guarantee it will work. There is another Dr in Huntingdon that also does the dilation. Dr Bilofsky. I don't know anything about him. But receptionist that answered phone said he does do it.

thanks for the info on the other doctor.

Eventually insurance will pick this up and I do believe all ENT's will be doing this procedure.

All in the matter of time.

Either way the future looks better for people who have ETD and we're all so thankful for that.

Tubes have always helped me. They only stay in 6-12 mos and you do have to be careful to not get water in your ears. I have drops to use if I do happen to get water in. I will have the dilation procedure done if/when insurance will cover. I do really think its just a matter of time

Hi Diana,

Just had the Eustachian tube dilation surgery with Dr. Weeks on Monday, February 27th. The surgery went well and my left ear, about 7 hours after the surgery suddenly became normal though I heard no pop, I could tell by the sounds it had changed. I turned on the tv and was able to hear each word spoken, particularly from the women's voices and the volume level was set lower than my normal on the tv too, this is how I know the surgery worked for me. I turned on my stereo and the sound was so much better, pure with greater depth and clarity like I haven't heard in years. I had to travel yesterday and my ears filled up again as we drove through different elevations, though my left ear is opened now after a weird crackle pop, and so I'll take to heart your experience and what Dr. Weeks told me that it might take some time for the inflammation to go down and that each patient is different. I can hardly wait for the right ear to normalize....... Dr. Weeks speaks highly of you and what a great guy he is. I'll keep you and everyone on this forum updated as I progress.

I do not want you to have any false set of time frame on when the insurance will pay for this, and at some point in time they will pay for this, but from a reliable source, I was told we are 3 to 5 years out in getting this covered by insurance. I was told they need between 50 to 75 thousand of these surgeries done to get approval, this is from someone who knows the business well. You can read my post below, just had the surgery, don't mean to be a downer but I believe this to be true.

I never had ear issues or tubes

I got a cold last year that turned into ETD and it never went away the crackling in the popping in the weird sensations in my ears never went away .

do you have any other symptoms and do the tubes make the symptoms go away for you

I'm excited to hear the good news!! Yes, be patient and let your body do what it should naturally.  I'm loving all the success stories coming from the dilation.  Dr. Weeks is really a caring dr.  So glad you found him.  Keep us posted!!

Had alot of pressure in my ears and crackling and muffled hearing. The tubes helped with all of that. My daughter had a tube put in 1 ear last week and unfortunately she said her ear still feels clogged.

How much does Dr. weeks charge for the procedure? And the total cost? I am going Friday for a consult with another doctor and want to see what they say it will cost if I am a candidate.

How old is your daughter? I wonder if ETD runs in families? My half sister is having a lot of ear issues too. A lot of her symptoms are different from mine though.

$3000 plus hospital co-pay, pre-op co-pay and a follow-up appointment co-pay. $3180 total for BCBS

So BCBS will pay for the surgical center?  anesthesiologist?  even though they don't cover the actual surgery?  

We have BCBS federal 

You just paid for the doctor's fee and the balloon? 

I have BCBS Federal also. Yes they have codes to pay for everything except the balloon, all else is covered.

Hey Debra!!

So I wanted to ask you if you can feel the tubes in your ears and if they change your hearing in any way.

I saw an ent yesterday that has been recently trained in the procedure.

He said that he will also put tubes in when he does the dilation.

Did a lot of research about the dilation and I've never heard of anyone doing this along with the dialation.

Hi Diana....Well surgery went well.....had it on Monday March 6th. Had to extend another week in San Diego & Dr. Weeks squeezed me into his schedule so I didn't have to fly back from Hawaii.

My surgery lasted longer than expected....my deviated septum got in the way from getting to my eustachian tubes....so surgery was 2 hours.

We flew home Wednesday...Doctor said it was OK....my husbands ears were popping on plane, mine wasn't? I heard this loud squeaking noise in my right ear....a lot of pressure.

I have a lot of inflammation in my nose....very stuffy....slight pain in my ears, sure hope that goes away...another weird sensation in left ear. I know I'm only 5 days out from surgery........I'm just so afraid this is not gonna get better...I'm tired😔

Dr. Weeks is awesome.....couldn't ask for a better, kinder, loving doctor...his assistant Brenda called and wanted to know if I would be interested in being on "The Doctor Show" with Dr. Weeks. They would film my surgery and then tape the show on friday....(yesterday) I would have done it but we already extended our stay, payed to change our plane tickets and flights to Hawaii were booked up. So, I had to decline.

I pray my worries will go away....I have to give my body time to heal....concerned about this slight pain in ears....wonder if my eustachian tubes are also inflamed?

Wow Kelly that's a long surgery for e tubes.  Try to be patient with them, you will hear a lot of weird noises for a while-the inflammation needs to go down. Yes, hes one amazing dr.  He asked me to come back on the show with him as a testimonial to the surgery working-it would have been great to meet you! But i understand your having to get back.  I'm kind of lucky, I own my own bus, so i can be pretty flexible.  Hang in there, and don't try to force them open! They should start working on their own soon.  Please keep in touch, diane

Gotta question.....I don't have the popping clicking crackling....that's great! But they feel plugged up.....do you think that's normal? My nose is stuffed up, I get that, but my ears don't feel normal....do the eustachian tubes get inflammed?

Yes they can be, especially after 2 hours of surgery. Give it some time.  Thats awsome the clicking and crackling is gone. The dilation is suppose to help them start opening and closing on their own.  Sometimes that takes a little time, especially if there is inflammation. It took about 6 weeks for mine to start working regularly.  I know its hard, but try to be patient. Please keep me posted! Diane

Hi Diana....its been 4 weeks since dilation...I had no popping or crackling in ears when I swallowed or chewed or yawned after surgery........now 4 weeks it's all starting again like before procedure.

Any suggestions thoughts? I called Dr. Weeks...left message. He's out of office today.

Hi Kelly, I'm not sure what is going on..how long were your ears clear before they started up again?.  Are they popping at all? Or just making noises?  I know mine acted weird for a few weeks after surgery, but eventually they stayed clear for good.  I'm sure Dr. Weeks will get back to you.  Let me know what he says. 

 

Aloha Diana.....Dr. Weeks called me yesterday but didn't get to the phone in time. He was going into a meeting and told me to call him later today.

The last 5 days all of my old symptoms have come back. My gut says the inflammation kept old symptoms quite & now inflammation is going down and now experiencing the crackling & clicking.

I'm way overwhelmed by all of this...really don't know what to do and who can help me. I'm trying to keep it together but it's a big challenge.

Someone told me they thought you had to do the balloon dilation a second time? Is that correct?

Hi Kelly & Diana,

  I'm meeting with Dr Weeks next Week, is there any questions I should ask him about surgery that you wish you would of asked? I could have a tumor in my ear, but were unable to verify during my last CT scan. I'm excited but very nervous. Any help will be appreciated.

thank you,

Kelly

Hi Kelly

Do you have eustachian tube dysfunction? He's a wonderful doctor.....you are in good hands. Make a list of questions. I always walk out forgetting to ask things but if you don't know what's wrong it's hard to know what to Ask? 5 weeks after my procedure I know now what to ask.....hopefully, he will be able to answer them.

I'm sorry Kelly.  All i can say is be patient....Yes, i had the surgery twice. The first time I came home and got a terrible cold and my ears plugged up.  I went back to trying to force them open every 2 minutes and i think i irritated them even more. I went back for surgery a 2nd time. This time, they dilated them more.  They were still learning back then.  After surgery I NEVER tried to force them open again...i was just patient and let my body figure it out, and it did.  Now i would never try to pop my ears by holding my nose and blowing.

Hi Kelly,

    Yes I've had euthachian tube dysfunction for 5 years, in both ears my right ear is the one that when I have tubes in it bleeds possible cholesterol granuloma ( very rare) . I was hoping for a list of questions to ask dr Weeks. 

Any help I do appreciate.

thank you,

Kelly

Kelly....R U On Facebook? I am under Kelly Doyle Harper . I'm having problems typing on this website. we will be able to communicate easier on messenger

Yes I'll send a friends request

Aloha Diana.....I spoke with Dr. Weeks last Wednesday...he is a little concerned and I'm trying not to lose it.....he called in a prescription for prednisone & Zyrtec.

I don't want to lose Hope but it's not looking good. I can't see myself and husband flying back to San Diego for a second trip. I sure wish I could find those 1000 people he did the procedure on and hear what there outcome was?

At this point all of my symptoms are back, I believe the inflammation was there big time and now that it's gone the crackling and popping are back. We thought that I was a great candidate for this....I have nothing else wrong with me....no sinus problems, no allergies. No ear infection.

For me to pay out of pocket another $8000 for dilation, airfare, hotel, car...etc and it not work a second time would be a huge challenge.

I'll keep you posted if anything changing. Thanks for all your advise & support....very very much appreciated!

Kelly, I'm so sorry. I'm still hoping that your body will take over, and start healing itself.  Please keep me posted, I'm still hoping you will heal. 

Hi jto

Just wanted to see how you were doing after the dialation.

Did you have your appointment??

Just wondering how it went!

Have you had the ETD dilation surgery yet and if not did you get a price for the surgery? I had the surgery at the end of February 2017 and my ears are still the same if not worse. Hope it works for you. I am contemplating having it done a second time as Diane did with success on the 2nd time.

Sure hope you have a follow up with Dr. Weeks.....he needs to know it didn't work for you, same with me and a few others.

I'll be going back in September.

Diana, I would be very interested in the messaging with you. I also live in Utah, and over the past seven or eight years have had one sinus surgery and 8 ear surgeries, four on each ear. The first involved looking for and confirming that I had a clasteatoma tumor. It was removed and a prosthetic stapes had to be implanted. I have had tubes of different types placed in both ears, and the result is that the eardrum holes widen and require tympanoplasty to repair the holes. Then the fluid immediately fills behind the ear drums and will not drain - causing pounding and throbbing and loss of hearing. I had ear surgery 3 weeks ago to repair my eardrum and now it is full of fluid. I'm just not willing to let them poke another hole in it with a tube. I am researching eustachian tube balloon dilation and would love to get more information from you. Thank you.

I think its ok i give out my e mail on this site. Its . I know i have been kicked off other sites for it, but i think its ok on here....i would be happy to help anyway i can.

Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

Looks like u need to private message me for my e mail. 

 

Dear Diana,

I'm new to this forum, and I'm experiencing this same nagging ETD.  It happened three months ago for me and it fluctuates open/close for me constantly.  Any one has advise on what might trigger relapses of ETD?  Cold or hot temperature?  Breathing or blowing too hard?  I often experience music instrument and hair dryer will trigger closing of my Eustachian Tube.  Would it happen to people with sensitive ears?    

Also, I'm new to the Balloon Dilation procedure.  Does this new procedure replace the Myringotomy procedure or are they still separate procedure treating different dysfunctions?  Any side effects from Balloon Dilation procedure?  

Your help is much appreciated!

Have a blessed day.

?-Jean 

Hi Jean, sorry u are having problems.  I had problems with my ears after my surgery, when i would blow my nose too hard, or went to a loud concert.  They would close up for a day or so, but i don’t try to open them anymore by blowing and plugging my nose, since blowing my nose too hard would close them causing the problem. i just let them open on their own and they would. I am not familiar with the myringotomoy procedure. I didn’t have any side effects from the balloon surgery. For me, the surgery was so easy. No bleeding,no pain, nothing.  I went out to dinner that night. I did have an experienced dr tho. Hope u are feeling better soon!

Jean,

?I recently underwent the Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation procedure on December 18th. I had been experiencing repeated fluid buildup behind my ear drum.  My ENT diagnosed me having a Dysfunctional Eustachian tube. He recommended this procedure.

?My ENT also performed the Myringotomy (ear) Tube Placement at the same time.

?I had to return to my ENT after a week because my hearing had decreased to the point that my hearing was muffled. I felt like I was talking in a tunnel. I found out that the tube that was placed in my ear was plugged with dried blood. The ENT removed the dry blood and my hearing was clearer.

?At my three week follow up, my tube was again plugged,however,it was not affecting my hearing so again the ENT removed dry blood. He said this procedure would take a while to heal.  I'm hearing fine now and was advised to follow up in six months.

?

Thank you for your positive vibes as they are tremendous help in helping me cope with this constant closing and opening of my Eustachian Tube.  I wonder when we blow our nose, what exactly happens to the Eustachian tube?  I hear a pop or squeak sound whenever I blow too hard, is that the Eustachian tube or Inner Ear that's making the sound?  Do you recommend just let those mucus sit in the nose instead of trying to get get them out?  I guess having stuffy nose if better than muffled ear - is that the takeaway?  

Has any of you guys experienced air passage to the nose getting blocked whenever you lie down on the back of your head?  I get this heavy pressure to the ear whenever I lie down.  It only happens when I sleep on the side my bad ear (the other side does not hurt).  Sitting up alleviates the pressure.  Is that the symptom of inflammation or something else?

BTW, is there a network of doctors that I could look up that has successfully performed the Balloon Dilation procedure?  I'm trying to find a good doctor and read about patients' reviews of them.  

Prayer is needed and your encouragement is much appreciated!

-Jean

Thank you for sharing your experience Ellen.  Since you had both Myringotomy and Balloon Dilation to ET performed, what exactly are the differences between the two procedures?  Are they supposed to treat different symptoms?  How do I know which one is more appropriate or both are needed based on you experience?  

From your story, it appears that Myringotomy is more complicated with all the fluid build-up on the ear tube, whereas Balloon Dilation is relatively straightforward, is that so?  Has Myringotomy procedure been around a long time?   

Before you had the surgery, did you have pressure build-up on the ear when you sleep on the ear?  

How do you shower your head area after you had both procedures?

Do you happen to know how to search for network of doctors that have successfully performed both of these procedures?

Your help is much appreciated!

-Jean