Deaf in one ear

[polopolopolopoo]

I keep going deaf in one ear, seeing GP about it but not for another month. Every couple of days - it feels like it's bunged up and there's ringing. No wax there, had it checked.

Anyone had this - been diagnosed with something?? Or is it the joys of menopause??

I wouldn't think it's the menopause.

Sometimes, especially after a cold, you can get a build-up of fluid BEHIND the eardrum which can lead to these symptoms. A HCP would be able to see that.
Are you sure that there's absolutely no wax/debris?

I have this too. Been referred to ENT at the hospital, don't have a diagnosis properly as yet.

Good luck, OP

Eustachian tube dysfunction?

I have this too! Have read it’s a known effect of covid, GP didn’t know what it was. Tried treating for distraction dysfunction but that didn’t help. Keep meaning to go back for more checks but getting appt is tricky here and it isn’t such a problem for me that it’s worth the hassle!

Nice to know it's a thing and I'm not going crazy! Haven't had a cold for ages so not sure if it's fluid build up but as you say, an HCP could tell. Covid (4th bout) about 6 months ago, could be that I suppose.

Yes DH had this. First time it was wax, second time was diagnosed with Eustachian tube dysfunction - went to ENT and had camera up his nose and down throat. It comes and goes. He has tinnitus in that ear too. They tested his hearing and he has some loss in both ears for higher pitch sounds. He finds these little balloons he can inflate via his nose helps at times . Can’t remember the name.

I had exactly that last year. GP was very dismissive. Several years earlier I had had liquid sloshing around in my middle ear (that was very weird - I heard waves every time I bent over or straightened up) which had been treated with a steroid nasal spray. So I pushed to get that spray again. "It won't work," he said, "and if it does, it'll only be placebo effect."

It worked. What does it matter if it worked because it was placebo effect?

Just found the balloons- it’s Otovent. On Amazon.

That should “Eustachian” not distraction 😁

Just googled eustachian and it definitely fits symptoms. Was wondering what 'distraction dysfunction' was 😆

Looks like if it's chronic there's not much to be done. Annoying as it's so disorientating. Oh well, see what GP says..

Thanks for the Otovent info, will try 👍

When DH was diagnosed it was quite bad but now it’s not so much of a problem so there’s a good chance it could improve if you e had lots of colds lately. The ENT specialist said it could be allergy induced- we have a dog.

Ive had Awful ear issues since I had covid last Easter. The deafness as you describe but mostly bad tinnitus. It's really the gift that keeps giving. I hope you get a diagnosis and help op.

Useful thread. I'm also going to try Otovent, looks a good option to begin with and I can't see it would do any harm to try.

I've had the same symptoms various times and have been treated for it by an excellent ENT consultant.

In my case, these have been one of two things each time:

1. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.

This can happen suddenly, your ear can't hear properly and your head feels rather stuffed full of cotton wool. ENT prescribed mometasone steroid nasal spray and the otovent balloon along with pinching my nose and blowing out through my nose at the same time. It takes a couple of weeks but the treatment works well for me. What you need to to hear the eardrum crackling - that is evidence of it getting better.

2. Middle ear infection aka Otitis media with effusion.

This needs antibiotics but also responds to mometasone and otovent. With this, I can feel and hear sloshing in my ear, with the liquid moving around as my head changes position - that is how I know it's an infection vs dysfunction.

So for both, ENT gave me a nasal steroid spray and otovent balloon. For the middle ear infection antibiotics as well.