ENT referral - hearing loss/tinnitus

[Newgolddream70]

Morning all. I'm a chronic asthmatic (all my life/well managed) and I also suffer with rhinitis and sinus problems.

For about two years now (and I'm convinced it's since I had the first covid vaccine, although it could be a coincidence) my left nostril and ear have been blocked. I've been using a prescribed nasal spray (Mometasone) and it is not unblocking my left ear. It feels sore/swollen right behind my ear drum and down my throat. I can't open my eustacheon tube and I have ringing in my ear. It is getting worse and I can barely hear through it. I've been missing my alarm in the mornings and worked out it's because I always seem to be lying on my right ear when I wake up, so I can't hear a thing!

GP has referred me to a specialist (NHS) so an appointment will be coming soon but I am really worried the hearing in my left ear has gone forever! It feels blocked/muffled, like I've just been on an aeroplane so I'm really hoping it's a eustacheon tube problem. Or maybe it's TMJ as the left side of my face has a dull ache?

Has anyone else experienced something similar and did it get resolved and your hearing come back?

Could there be a foreign body in your ear? Few tears back I stupidly used ‘ear planes’ to stop my ears blocking during the flight. They actually caused my ears to feel blocked and everything sounded muffled. I was terrified I’d permanently damaged myself. It took a while but the issue eventually resolved.

Do you have any clear liquid leaking from your nose or ears?

I don't think there is anything in it. The GP has looked and says the ear drum looks a bit inflamed but it's not infected and it doesn't feel like an ear infection.

I get clear liquid coming from my left nostril (and my left eye tends to be watery as well) but the majority of the time, that nostril is blocked and I can't breathe through it. There is a polyp there which could be getting in the way but I thought the steroid nasal spray would be getting rid of that?

@Newgolddream70

I know this was a year ago but has your problem been resolved?

I'm in a similar state
Thanks

@hollyberrytree hi there!

Yes, it has ... but it was a struggle to get there!

To cut a long story short, I ended up going private through my work's BUPA insurance. I had a CT scan which showed my sinuses were completely blocked and evidence it was long term as the bits around the bone looked fuzzy (I am sure there is a medical term for this but can't remember) so I had surgery last month!

I had multiple polyps removed, my sinuses cleaned out and also a septoplasty as my airway was restricted. It was a complete success and I can finally breathe! I will have to be on nasal steroids for the rest of my life and continue with the nasal saline flushing but that's not too much to bear.

I got nowhere with the NHS. It was a nightmare and I was told they don't carry out surgery. I really needed it as everything was in such a mess so I am so grateful I was able to do it.

Have you been referred to an ENT specialist?

@Newgolddream70
Thanks so much for your reply. I'm glad you are better

I started my own thread and wrote this
I don't expect anyone to diagnose me but any clues will help please.
It's gone on for months.
I have seen the GP a who said fluid "bubbles" behind my eardrum
However the ENT specialist who had the fastest look in the world said no, the bubbles the GP saw were scarring.
I'm off for a hearing/ pressure test.
My ear feels full like it needs to pop.
ENT doc told me not to try to make it do anything and let it settle.
I wake up with full sinuses in my cheeks, I have post nasal drip.
I don't clear my throat or cough.
I have tinnitus.
I'm not unwell but the fullness is annoying and I'm fed up.

ENT specialist was dismissive and implied I was thinking about things too much, basically once I'd decided there was an issue I was focusing on it and that I was probably clearing my throat without knowing.
I'm definitely not. I'm a teacher and any habit would be picked up on by the kids!
And my sinuses are full until I've been sat up for a while. A steroid nasal spray helps my nose clear but not my ear.

His parting words were when you get the hearing test done ( to see if there is fluid) we will see who is right your GP or me

That sounds miserable. Was it an NHS ENT specialist? I found them equally dismissive and unhelpful.

I know that the only way to treat the middle ear is via the nose. Have you ever taken oral steroids (prednisolone)?

The issue is that the NHS just seem to want to treat the symptoms rather than get to the source of the problem. I also had a blocked left ear with fluid and was offered a hearing aid ffs!

I am not sure what to suggest. In my opinion you really need a CT scan to see the extent of the problem. If your sinuses are completely blocked (which sounds like they are if you have post nasal drip) then it would be beneficial to have them 'hoovered' out!