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ETD? Tinnitus? Suffering for a year.

Posted , 4 users are following.

eyesonfire
eyesonfire

Hi. I am new to this. I live in Canada. June 2014, a year ago, when my ear started popping out of the blue. It was my left ear only. I saw my GP who suggested allergy medication and nasal spray. I tried both and it did not work. I had 2 more nasal sprays and again, did not work. I went back to my GP and referred me to an ENT. I had to wait 5 months ... Month 5, I was still suffering from ear popping and my hearing started to seem muffled and lots of ear pressure and fullness in both ears. I saw an ENT who had nothing to say or helped at all. He said I have ETD and good luck. Only suggested an ear popper device. I bought an ear popper which costed me almost $200. It works ... but only for a few minutes because my ears will feel pressure and full again. It is like I have to use this device 24/7. Month 12, It is now June 2015 .. I am still suffering. I had a hearing test done 4 months ago and found out that I lost 10d in my left ear. I wanted to cry. Why? Because I am already hearing impaired. I wear hearing aids in both ears. I now have anxiety and will probably have a breakdown soon because no one will help me. Two weeks ago, I am hearing humming in my right ear. It is very upsetting and annoying. It won't go away either. The popping in my left ear only happens when I am laying down, sleeping. It goes away when I get up. All day, everyday, I have fullness, pressure in both ears and now I have a humming nose in my right ear. I went back to my GP who referred me to a second ENT. I have no idea how long I will be waiting .... I am only 24 years old, female. I have no idea what to do anymore.

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • pcaba001
    pcaba001 eyesonfire

    Posted

    Hi, 

    I have also been suffering like you for over a year, I am a 24 years old male. I am no doctor, but based on your symptoms it looks like you may have both ETD and Tinnitus.

    I started with the same symptoms as yours without the hearing loss and with severe dizziness. (ETD can cause this). I have seen several ENT doctors and other specialists with no help. The only cure for your problem could be inner ear tube surgery, (this will relieve the pressure and help with the Tinnitus). I could not get this due to my tympanic membrane being too scarred. Talk to your doctor about this.

    I tried every nasal sprays in the market but the only thing that has seems to help is saline sinus rinses. If you try this, make sure the water reaches your inner ear.

    I have gotten significantly better, the severe dizziness and the humming went away. I still have fluctuating dizziness and my ear still pops and makes weird noises when I move my jaw. The dizziness is the worse part for me and has turned into anxiety, it is very frustrating. 

    I would suggest starting with the saline rinses and trying other nasal sprays at the same time, there are some that expand your membranes temporarily and can help you clearing up your Eustachian tubes. 

    I hope you recover soon.

    Piero 

     

    • eyesonfire
      eyesonfire pcaba001

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. I don't think I will get the tubes surgery because one of the side effects is hearing loss. Should I risk it? Probably not ... I tried 3 nasal sprays and they didn't work. Maybe I should try them again? I am very upset. I don't think water likes my ears anymore either because it can get trapped inside and leaks out at some point. I wonder why ...... I don't think I ever had tinnitus for a whole year UNTIL now ... because I am hearing a humming noise in my right ear for the last two weeks. I FEEL like this is getting worse and no one wants to help or even care. Do you buy saline spray in stores? What does that do. I hope I recover soon and feel better soon ... I wish I could go back to normal a year ago. I already have enough problems. Thank you again
  • eyesonfire
    eyesonfire

    Posted

    Update: I have my second referral to a ent and I have to wait 7 weeks. Right now, I am on cotristeriod spray (budesonide mixed with otri) twice a day for two weeks. It seems to help pop my left ear since I never could before .. but all my symptoms are still here. This is my 3rd spray in the last year by the way. I cannot have a bath or shower anymore without wearing plugs. Water seems to get trapped inside. I still have anxiety problems but trying to stay positive. The humming sound in my right ear has never gone away. This started last month. I will have to talk to my doctor about acid reflux and other things but I won't see her until August. I already had acid reflux problems my whole life .. I am taking 60mg of prevacid twice a day. Reminder: I have fullness, pressure in both ears. Popping sound in left ear when I am sleeping and humming sound in right ear non stop. This started last June. Thanks everyone ... Stay positive

    PS: I am wondering if this is TMJ related .. The way I pop my ears is by opening my mouth and making a sound. It pops everytime. I was also told last year that I grind my teeth at night. I know this may mean nothing ... But I hope I recover soon. Trying to find answers ... Thank you again

  • eyesonfire
    eyesonfire

    Posted

    Morning, I did a test today ... When I woke up, I decided not to move or open my mouth or talk. I noticed that I rarely had any ear pressure and didn't feel the need to pop my ears. Does this mean something? I think everyone can relate this .. When you go to sleep, all your problems goes away and you don't feel pain or anything. Well after sleeping for 8 hours and waking up, I don't have much ear pressure until later in the morning and it goes on all day until I go back to sleep. BUT when I am sleeping, my left ear does make a popping sound non stop until I get up from the bed but I learned to ignore that since it has been a year. I'll have to wait and suffer. But hey, I've been waiting and suffering for 13 months now .. NO BIG DEAL. Have a good day ... Keep me updated! Thanks
  • eyesonfire
    eyesonfire

    Posted

    Anyone who is still suffering from ear problems should ask their doctor about superior canal dehiscence (sscd) which can be easily missed on your scans. it is a hole inside your ear bone which can cause all your symptoms. I just watched a show lastnight about a woman who suffered for eight months and saw ents who kept telling her to deal with it until her husband took her to another specialist who looked at her scans and figured out the problem. Had surgery and now she is all better. Might not be your problem but worth a try. Bring this up to your doctors !! Keep me updated and thanks again. I hope I recover soon and we all recover soon.
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