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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask about blocked ear/eustachian tube dysfunction - desperate!

59 replies

fortunatelynot · 19/02/2023 21:25

Sorry to be incredibly boring but does anyone suffer from ETD?
Had it on and off for a few months after getting a rotten ear infection a while back - it seems to have made my ear susceptible?
Some days I am fine; others I wake with a completely blocked ear, ear pain etc. It (not surprisingly) gets bad if I have a cold/sinus issues etc but also seems to be present at other times. I try to clear it by pinching my nose and blowing and get lots of crackling.
I take decongestants, blow regularly etc. I have seen the doctor occasionally but they don't really say a lot apart from keep using decongestants.
I often now hear ringing and to be honest, its really getting to me. It is only ever one ear (and the same ear)
Any other sufferers/tips etc?

OP posts:

Pixie18 · 19/02/2023 21:37

I have this . Also after getting the most excruciating ear infection back in 2020. It doesn’t sound as bad as you have it though. I dont have pain but feel like my ear is blocked most of the time along with ringing and popping etc. my doc put me on one week of amoxicillin and 3 months of a prescribed nasal spray twice a day. That was back At beginning of Jan. It feels better but not completely gone if im honest. I have to go back when the nasal spray is done but i reckon it will be a referral to ENT if it hasnt fully cleared up. Hope that helps.

StatisticallyLow · 19/02/2023 21:40

I have this. I have found that sleeping propped up helps, as I think it encourages the tubes to drain? When I sleep laying flat it is definitely worse. I also use a hairdryer (gently) to dry out my ears if I get water in them.

Singleandproud · 19/02/2023 21:40

I had it from the day I was 12 weeks pregnant to the day I had DD, every time I went out the house my ears got blocked. Have you tried antihistamine or travel sickness tablets? The Dr told me I was getting it because my balance was off and ears are linked to balance and to try pregnancy friendly versions of those to see if they helped.

Blankets85 · 19/02/2023 21:43

You can buy a device called an ear popper. This could help?

joan12 · 19/02/2023 21:43

I had this, also after an ear infection. Had a nasal spray which did v little, constant nose blowing to relieve pressure etc. It was so awful and frustrating and went on for about 3 months. What helped was using a steam room at the gym, lots of steamy showers, sticking my head (carefully) in the steamy kettle... Sympathy though from me as it feels so scary and debilitating not to hear. It did improve though.

efeslight · 19/02/2023 21:45

I had an ear infection first week of January, cleared up quickly with antibiotics but then I lost most of my hearing. Saw an ENT Dr who said to wait and use nasal spray, and if my hearing didn't come back after about 4 weeks a small procedure could help, which I think is having grommets fitted. Luckily my hearing did return but one ear iss still not right, lots of cracking and squeaking when I yawn or swallow. Can you look into this option?

TheHateIsNotGood · 19/02/2023 21:48

If you dare to follow an 'old wives recipe' try a mix of hydrogen peroxide and olive oil or better still hypex and cider vinegar. Can only do 1 ear at a time as you need to lie on one side for at least 30mins whilst the mix works.

Then flush out with warm water over the sink - a child med syringe dispenser is ideal.

It's my go to remedy for 'blocked ears'.

AreBearsCatholic · 19/02/2023 21:50

Have you tried rinsing your nose with saline (not water) morning and evening?

KylieKangaroo · 19/02/2023 21:51

I had this a couple of weeks ago, I used this balloon thing called otovent and it cleared up within a few days! It might just be coincidence though but it's worth a try.

CrackingCrackling · 19/02/2023 21:54

Ahhh i had an ear infection about 3 months ago and had a completely blocked ear for 15 days! Never had that before ever.

Then randomly about 2 weeks ago, it happened again in the same ear for no reason. Lasted on and off for a few days. I still feel a slight difference in hearing, but nothing major currently.

It's horrible, isn't it? If it happens again I will be contacting GP about a ENT referral as it's never been an issue for me before.

Theopossumwasmeantforme · 19/02/2023 21:56

Sinus irrigation morning and night made a huge difference for me.

Coxspurplepippin · 19/02/2023 21:58

Horrible fluey virus over Christmas, one day of earache and I'm left with diminished hearing in one ear (sounds like I'm underwater). Docs keep saying it'll clear eventually, but sent me for a hearing test anyway which showed mild hearing loss. Same as pp, I've had crackling and popping. Going to look at some of the remedies on this thread.

dishyrishi · 19/02/2023 21:58

Get the infection sorted with medication, they prep the ear with oil.. book in at an ear suction place and get them cleared out, it'll be wax build up, and the relief on removal is amazing

Batcountry8 · 19/02/2023 21:59

I've had this since September.
It's much better now though, I was told it would take time and the one thing that's helped the most in the last 5 weeks is regularly sniffing Beconase spray.

After weeks of crackling, taking ear drops to try and clear any if any ear wax, antihistamines, antibiotics and steroid cream.

The above probably helped me 'do' something? Yet my left and worse ear was feeling blocked still. So another GP suggested regularly doing the Beconase to try and reduce the swelling of the tube. Plus to take it for two months.
My ear is definitely much better.
At one point I thought I might have glue eat and would need grommets, as GP could see fluid behind my ear drum.

Maybe worth a try for you? I know how crappy it is.

BingleBongleBoo · 19/02/2023 22:01

I had this and was referred to an ENT specialist. He put a thin wire camera up my nose and right into the tubes and said my eustacian tube was the wrong shape and liable to stay blocked. I also have constant negative pressure inside my head. It's unpleasant.

I tried nasal sprays and anti histamines at his recommendation but nothing helped sadly.

I live with it now but when I have a cold it gets a lot worse. I feel your pain and it's worth a referral to ENT if you can get one.

mummabubs · 19/02/2023 22:02

Yes! I'm in my 30s and was diagnosed last year after experiencing it for the first time. That time it cleared up in a couple of weeks, but this year I've had it pretty much constantly since mid-November 22 and it makes me miserable. Alternates between blocked hearing, feeling fullness in my ear (which ia horrible), sometimes pain and sometimes no pain but everything sounds honky tonk / robotic. The Dr last year told me there wasn't any treatment she could offer, but I find taking ibuprofen and a hot water bottle helps with the pain. I did try the blowing with your nose covered technique but personally don't find that makes any difference - my ears pop and then it's still just as muffled.

You have my sympathies OP, it sucks!

TheInterceptor · 19/02/2023 22:03

I had this and was told -not- to take decongestants as they dry out the tubes, making it worse. To keep as hydrated as possible and to regularly hold my nose and blow with my mouth shut. Also plenty of yawning and chewing. It was a horrible time!

Augend23 · 19/02/2023 22:04

Be aware that continued use of decongestants can I think cause congestion. Is it worth stopping them for a couple of weeks (or at least asking if there is a risk of that?) and seeing if it helps?

OdeToBarney · 19/02/2023 22:08

Agree with being careful with decongestants as they can cause rebound congestion. I suffer with ETD and it's awful. My nose runs so much in the cold, one inadvertent sniff and my ears completely block. I find tipping my head upside down between my legs can help sometimes. Otherwise I just have to wait for it to pass. It's really debilitating. Funnily enough I've suffered a lot less since covid because I'm not commuting in the cold so much! It's likely your symptoms will improve during the warmer months.

TheGoogleMum · 19/02/2023 22:09

I currently have this! Dr still hoping it'll clear up on its own. I'm pregnant so can't take most things. Currently on day 16 of hearing loss, luckily it only hurt for a day. I have tried sinus rinse but admittedly not twice a day! Was given antibiotics (originally a chest infection) but it hasnt helped my hearing. My nose gets a little blocked but not all the time. I do hope my hearing returns soon it's hard work not being able to hear properly

MarmotMorning · 19/02/2023 22:11

I have this. The most annoying thing is how it's affecting my hearing. The doctors told me to use beconase and come back if it's not better. It's not improved yet.....

Notwashingup · 19/02/2023 22:12

I'm currently on a steroid nasal spray then being referred to ENT. My GP 'prescibed' chewing Airwaves chewing gum too.

Hankunamatata · 19/02/2023 22:15

I use sinus rinse twice a day. Dymista nasal spray is quiet good. Lots of drinking water. Weirdly guaifenesin has been more effective for me than decongestant. You can get it in cough syrup if you can't get a prescription

Mariposista · 19/02/2023 22:17

I had ETD when I was 19 and it was horrendous. Lasted about 2 weeks. I remember lying in bed and holding onto the mattress as I felt like I was in a boat on rough sea.
The worst (and now slightly funny) thing was I went to Wimbledon with my boyfriend and I was so off balance, unsteady and queasy that I was nearly not allowed on centre court because the security guard thought that I was very drunk. I remember walking to the tube afterwards and having to lie down on some grass in a park.
I totally sympathise with you OP. It was so so horrible and dr couldn't give me anything for it. Did just clear up on its own in the end.

WhatHappenedToYoyos · 19/02/2023 22:18

KylieKangaroo · 19/02/2023 21:51

I had this a couple of weeks ago, I used this balloon thing called otovent and it cleared up within a few days! It might just be coincidence though but it's worth a try.

Saw an ENT privately and this is what they said to do for a 3+ month persistent infection. It solved it within a week. Not sure why the GP didn't suggest it after the first antibiotics didn't work as unblocking my ear!

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