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Musician diagnosed with ETD, waiting operation

Posted , 4 users are following.

edm420
edm420

Hi Everyone, 

Over the past 4 years, I experienced my hearing getting muffled, and less sensitive to sounds. My right ear ecspecially, feels clogged, and has a sense of pressure, that I can't equalize through vasalva pulls. I was travelling by air a couple of time, which caused me severe pain at the back of my head, down to the upper spine, on both sides. My right ear suffers the most, as I can feel the eardrum, not vibrating as it should, the left on the other hand crackles when I yawn, while the right doesnt at all, unless I yawn with the force of my hand pulling the right cheak, causing small tiny crackles, which tells me that the left seem to be equalizing better than the right, despite it making crackling noises. I first truely became aware of the issue around 2 years ago, and after seeing 7 ear specialist here in Denmark, I finally found one who could set me up for a deeper check at a hospital, where they recently got the new Balloon dilation procedure.

I got diagnosed with ETD, and the sound test shown I had a 30db decrease in my right ear, around 2Khz, where as my left only has a dib at 10db around the same frequency area. Being a electronic musician, I had to pause my career, due to it. The pain up air, would be so severe, I would start pulling my hair. Even had to wait weeks before they went back to 'normal'. - Oh btw, I wear 24db ear protection when performing, and I dont play over 70db when I sit in the studio, so I've been careful on that part since the start.

I'm currently waiting for the procedure here on May, and even tho I'm so thrilled to finally get it done, I'm afraid too.. Kinda alot..

It doesn't seem like there's any specific statistic on improved hearing, or further decrease hearing after the procedure, which leaves me anxious.

So if any of you, who've had this procedure, can explain your experiences on this matter, it would ease my mind more, as my mental state is literally going with it for so long.

Thanks for reading! smile 

 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • michael11955
    michael11955 edm420

    Posted

    Dear David,Sad to hear of your problem.My symptoms are quite different from yours,but one thing that is very much the same,That is it causes me quite a lot of anxiety & loss of patience with every day things.

  • anne05078
    anne05078 edm420

    Posted

    Hi Ed,

    I feel for you, I really do.  Not too sure whether or not you've read any of my posts to other people suffering this awfu condition of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.  I've suffered this problem since the early 1980's.  Both my ears blocked while on holiday in 1984, in the UK (that's where I live) we purchased a brand new touring caravan and parked on a beautiful site.  However, one morning I awoke to find I couldn't hear hardly anything as both my ears were clogged so badly.  I've since realise we parked our caraven amongst trees and I think I'd breathed in pollen during the night.  We had to pack up early and come home where I was seen by an ENT doctor.  He prescribed antibiotics, but at that time, probably should have been given antihistamines, as several years later allergy tests carried out proved that something on trees and flowering bushes affect me.  I've suffered this problem on and off for years and since contracting Pneumococcal Meningits in 1994 (through bacteria sitting in eustachian tubes and turnig nasty) I still suffer to this day.  Sinusitis, ETD, congestion, you name it and I've tried everything.  When it gets really bad I have to take a reducing method of Prednisolone steriod tablets, they get rid of all the inflammation, dries up all the mucus, which I make due to allergies.  Ears un-block, I regain my sense of smell and taste and everything is wonderful until it all builds up a again.  But those few months are just brilliant.  I lost the sight in my left eye and hearing down in left ear, due to the meningitis.  I've had polpys removed whilst having sinus surgery, many years ago.  I take a daily Citrizine antihistamine, and use twice daily Flixonase Aqueous Nasal Spray. I also use NeilMed Nasal Rinse every morning and hour or two before using Flixonase.  Someone on this site mentioned that he was told by his doctor that there was a risk of having a stroke using the balloon dilation.  How true that is, I've no Idea !!  However, when I've mentioned this to my ENT consultant he didn't think it was suitable for me.  I've been very congested since before Chrstmas 2016 and it's only recently settled down after taking a course of antibiotics....sleeping so much better too at the moment.  I have purchased expensive air purifiers and have one in my lounge and bedroom, but can't say I've noticed much difference.  I completely understand how you're feeling and your mental state too, as it drags me down big time when my ears are blocked.

    I wish you the very best of luck, if you go  ahead with the balloon dialation and please let me know if it works.

    If you are concerned about this procedure, why don't you Google it and read all about it.  May put your mind at rest.

    Kind regards

    Anne

     

  • dianataylor
    dianataylor edm420

    Posted

    I'm so sorry you are suffering with ETD.  I had the balloon dilation over 5 yrs ago, and it was successful. I had mine done in San Diego after spending yrs not being able to pop my ears, having pain and lots of popping, crackling in my head.  Also had muffled hearing.  For me the surgery went very well and i had no pain with it. I hope that helps you.  If u have any more questions, feel free to ask.  Good luck to you!!

    • michael11955
      michael11955 dianataylor

      Posted

      Dear diana,So pleased that the ballooon dilation & that it worked for you.

      My GP cannot find anywhere a surgeon who will do it.Also he tells me that such a procedure can induce a stroke.So at this time I'm up against a brick wall

      Kind regards Michael

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