Blocked eustachian tube help!

[amehh]

My doctor says I have a blocked eustachian tube - I have gone almost deaf in one ear and I have a constant ringing too. It is worse the louder my surroundings are (which isn't terribly useful working in a school!) The doctor prescribed beconase nasal spray but after a week of usage, it's no better and I don't really want to keep taking this since it only recommends tor minimum use during pregnancy under a GPs advice.

Is there anyone who has had this before that has any advice or knows something else I could try for a decongestant? The GP was unhelpful and said I just have to put up with it for at least 3 months before she will consider referring me, and I just can't get any relief! I genuinely cannot hear properly and my ear feels numb because there is no sound on that side.

I was checked for wax build up etc and there is nothing at all (I apparently have lovely eardrums!) And doing the hold your nose and blow to pop your ears doesn't work either.

Please help!

I went to get my ears checked as I thought they were blocked but weren't. They recommended the old fashioned towel over head and head over bowl of menthol water. I got olbus oil drops. Couple times a day til it starts to clear. Apparently if you get a lot of popping and cracking that is a good sign as it is the air bubbles coming out.

Hope that helps and it clears soon.

I've had that, I had Eustachian ear dysfunction meaning my problem is long term, developed after swine flu and comes and goes. I had the nasal spray which did nothing and all my GP could do was refer me to ENT who thought I needed grommets I didn't do that and over time it's got better but I never found a short term solution. It's so annoying, I feel your pain!

I’ve got this in my right ear since being pregnant. If I put my head between my knees for a couple of seconds it tends to clear it for a bit. Almost feels like I can feel fluid draining out. Super-annoying though, I sympathise!

I have recurring problems with my ears but like PsGal, was advised by my GP to use the steam/towel-over-head method several times a day. It's a faff and seemed like a waste of time for the first two days or so but then it started working. Definitely worth a try.

Thanks everyone, I'll steam tonight and keep up with nose sprays for a couple more days since I am away on a school residential for 2 nights tomorrow and won't be able to steam or anything. And then go natural decongestant crazy when I get home!

I've honestly had nothing but problems with colds, sinus infections and hayfever this pregnancy but I've never gone deaf before and it's really distressing at times when it goes completely - other times like when I'm in bed it is pretty mild except for the ringing.

Everything I have read says it pretty much just gets better eventually and can be quite sudden I.e. wake up and it's gone but it's the waiting that's hard.

I'll definitely never be taking my hearing for granted, that's for sure!

How does the steam help clear your the tubes in your ear? I understand how it might help clear a stuffy nose...but don't quite get the ear? I have a problem with my right ear after having such a tiny cold (it was barely a sore throat and a cough!) and I now have tenitus in my ear. So frustrating. If steam might help, I will give it a go...but just wondering how it helps?

@Mamabear12 I was told that my ear problem is due to congestion so you need to tackle the congestion through your nose to help calm down your ear. No idea of the specifics though!

Ah okay. I guess its time I go back to the GP so they can investigate further. I just hate going to the GP! Its been 4 months, so time to go back. I should have gone a month ago!

You may get some relief by visiting an Osteopath. They can teach you certain exercises that can help. You will need to check that they are trained in this particular field.

I get this sometimes and sinus rinses help. Not the most pleasant thing to do, but worth a try.

You can buy neilmed rinse in a can, or just use a netipod with saline. I use a bulb syringe with saline.

Hi amehh,

I have the same problem, etd and ringing. It s killing me. Are you fine now? I really need to know, if it heals after delivery?

Hi @Svg it actually all cleared before delivery, it took a while and it was very slow to ease off but by August it had gone and I posted this in the June so 2 months thereabouts. I think I continued taking a daily anti-histamine for it (get this approved by docs though) and I did regular steams and saline rinses but ultimately it was just time. Sorry to hear you are suffering!

I get this occasionally. I find holding a hot towel against the affected side can ease it temporarily but really you just have to wait for the inflammation/blockage to clear. Some say paracetamol helps, though can't say I've found it effective.

Ringing, actually like hissing, the sound is killing me. Did you have ringing? Did it clear also before delivery? It started 4 months ago, now I developed acute stress disorder, and panic attack. I can hear it in both ears its volume is high. Please tell me it will clear away :(. Now I wake up and can't sleep again, my tv is always on, but I can always hear it. I am just 31 weeks so I have to wait more.

Probably not recommended but I put Vicks around my ears and sometimes on the bridge of my nose and it seems to help. Menthol gum/sweets help too

Hi. Did you have tinnitus during eustachian blockage? My problem startes 4 months ago? I am very happy that yours stopped before delivery. But still, I am very afraid, if it doesnt heal.

I see you have recovered but in case it helps anyone else...

I had this in my left ear and ignored it until I was planning to travel by air. I went to the GP because I was scared that the pressure changes would cause pain on the blocked side. I got Betnesol ear drops

www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10814/pil#gref

The key thing was that I inverted my head completely upside down before I used the drops (by getting down on all fours and bending my neck). Then put the drops in my nose. Did this a few times and the problem was fixed within 24 hours! And I'd had it for months before that