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Had an ear problem but it went away yesterday, should I still go to the doctor?

Posted , 5 users are following.

ann37481
ann37481

I blew my nose after I took a shower because my ear felt full and I thought it had water in it, after, something happened with my left ear and my voice had an echo and was robotic, and things I kept hearing had an echo, also my voice kept changing pitch. Then my left ear started ringing and it stopped and I went to sleep, this was 2 nights ago, and the echo/robotic/pitch problem went away in the early morning yesterday. My ears specifically left ear ache a little bit sometimes, I don't know why. But nothing else has happened, should I go to the hospital about this to make sure everything's okay?? I'm really freaked out and scared that I did some damage.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Olizzieo
    Olizzieo ann37481

    Posted

    Hi, yes I would still see your docter and be referred to an ENT to find out what occurred. If it is autoimmune and if this occurs again, do you take steroids, will it correct itself with time and what can you do to stop it happening again.
  • erica27186
    erica27186 ann37481

    Posted

    Hi Ann,

    If this is the only time that has happened and it has resolved I wouldn't worry about it. The echo sound happens when the eustachian tube opens too much/stays open. It is called patulous eustachian tube. From my understanding it is normal for folks to have an experience with it a couple of times throughout their lifetime.

    Now if it does return, yes see an ent sure. However, patulous is a fraught diagnosis. I have both patulous and eustachian tube dysfunction. I live in NYC and have seen 7 ENTs, two high end ones. No one can help me. There are only a handful of doctors in the world that are doing experimental treatments for patulous. There are a few things you can try on your own, however.

    Anyways, what I'm saying is that if you see an ENT they'll be able to look and do some tests. Could be good to do, but in terms of your symptoms, a normal ent might not know what patulous is and they might suggest something that could make it worse like steroids. I'm not trying to scare you and I hope I'm not. My ears look totally healthy to the ENT s I've seen and I have spent thousands of dollars this past year and the only treatment I've been given are steroids.

    • maureen05275
      maureen05275 erica27186

      Posted

      Hi Erica,

      I was interested to see that you wrote that you have both patulous and eustachian tube dysfunction.  I saw an ENT mid-2015 whose audiologist diagnosed ETD in both my ears; he did not do the test for patulous eustachian tube and I wasn't 'educated' enough at the time to ask for it.  I went to see the ENT, however, partly because I had suddenly developed autophony in the left ear (later realised it was a gradual thing after years of increasing fullness) and, after extensive internet research, thought I had all the symptoms of a patulous eustachian tube.  The ENT was quite dismissive and when I said '"what about the autophony?", his reply was "many things can cause autophony" as he showed me to the door.  I have an appointment in Feb to see a neurontologist (advice from a helpful audiologist here) just to get a proper diagnosis really as I doubt he will be able to do anything (am in Australia) but wondered about the co-existence of the two conditions.  Do you sometimes have ETD as in blocked tubes and then at other times have patuous eustachian tubes?  Is that what you mean by having both conditions?  Also could you elaborate on the "there are a few things you can try on your own". I may already be trying them but every little helps.

      Thank you.  Maureen

    • erica27186
      erica27186 maureen05275

      Posted

      Hi Maureen, 

      I'm sorrry you're in a similar boat and you've been dealing wtih it longer than I have! I have seen a neurotologist as well. She diagnosed Patulous based on my symptoms, but did no other diagnostic activity and was not helpful in anyother way. I also saw a leading researcher in the eustachian tube balloon procedure and he said I wasn't a candidate because of the autophony - which is not constant, but comes on, I think especially during barometric shifts and elevation changes.

      My problem is that my ears are that I get odd sensations that are difficult to describe, they also clog severely, while other times they open. I can't ascend buildings and sometimes just basic changes like going outside sets them off.

      I'm on a Facebook Group for Patulous and there I have learned what folks have been trying. I highly recommend that group. I'll pm you a link so this isn't erased by moderators. There folks recommend saline spray and Patulend. There is a video of woman who learned from her ENT how to mix more salt into saline and snort it - and a lot of people seem to use that method. Beyond that, there are fat injections, shims, bioplastique and some other things being tried medically. 

      Keep us updated on your appointment. I'd be curious to see what they have to say!

      -Erica

    • maureen05275
      maureen05275 Olizzieo

      Posted

      Hi Olizzieo - You are so good in replying to so many people that you will  not have recognised that you were the audiologist whom I mentioned above who replied to me a few weeks ago.  I am in Melbourne and contacted the ASOHNS as you suggested by leaving a message on their website.  A lady there was most helpful and emailed me a list of all their members in Melbourne, highlighting the ones who listed ontology and neurontology as their interests.   I decided to stay with the one I had researched previously who has studied abroad even though I couldn't get an appointment till Feb - he is away in between, hopefully getting updated on autophony and hyperacusis!  I will let you know how I get on.

      With best wishes. Maureen

       

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo erica27186

      Posted

      Hi Erica, I am wondering if you have semi circular canal dehiscence?

      Patients with SSCD can experience vertigo and oscillopsia (the apparent motion of objects that are known to be stationary) evoked by loud noises and/or by maneuvers that change middle-ear or intracranial pressure (such as coughing, sneezing, or straining). Auditory manifestations of the syndrome include autophony (increased resonance of one’s own voice), hypersensitivity to bone-conducted sounds, and an apparent conductive hearing loss revealed on audiometry. Some patients have exclusively vestibular symptoms and signs; some have both auditory and vestibular manifestations; and still other patients have exclusively auditory complaints.

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo maureen05275

      Posted

      Ha ha that is great!!! smile  I will be so interested to find out what the ENT says. Good luck Maureen xx

    • erica27186
      erica27186 Olizzieo

      Posted

      Thanks for you reply. I brought it up during my last ENT visit and he said I didn't have it because my audiograms have been perfect. I went back to him about 2 weeks ago because my hearing kept going out, but in the office, my hearing was perfect and seems to have remained fine. I, however, am very frustrated that they won't do an ear ct or something to try to rule out more causes. My ear condition is severly limiting. I am getting TMJ treatments and I truly hope it helps. You clued me into the SSCD a while back, I just can't get a doctor to investigate further. I may just need to lie and fail an audiogram test or something. I can't imagine this isn't a vestibular disease at this point. The sharp pains that come on, the hearing cutting out, the dizziness. 

      I just don't get it. My visits with ENTs are so short and some don't even look in my ears. 

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo erica27186

      Posted

      I think you need to see another ENT. Google the ENT's around your area to find out if any of them specialise in SSCD. Not many do and it is regularly missed by ENTs surprisingly. If worst comes to worst, tell the ENT you are seeing that you want a scan to assess if you do have a dehiscence. Read up online what sort of scan is needed so you know as much as possible before seeing them. Good luck!!! Wish you lived in Perth. I have the perfect ENT for you to see x

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy ann37481

    Posted

    Hi Ann, I have the echo problem very occassionally. I think it happens to lots of people. It goes away and has happened only rarely, but a very strange feeling. Your ear ringing sounds like tinnitus. Something else that a lot of people get. There is no cure for it so far. I have had it off and on since I was very young, but most people seem to get it when they are adult.
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