Eustachian Tube Dysfunction-Any ideas?
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction-Any ideas?
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Discussion

yellowtr

Original Poster:

1,190 posts

255 months

Thursday 3rd January 2019
quotequote all
There have been a few topics in the past, but nothing conclusive.

I have been suffering from this for about 2 months and the constant crackling/crunching in my ears (mouth?) is driving me insane-as well as the tinnitus. I am seeing an ENT Specialist who originally said to try the Otovent Balloon for 2 weeks and that didn't make a difference. He then suggested SERC for 2 months, however 3 weeks in I am not seeing any benefit and the constant blocked ears feeling as well as the crackling noise is very very draining.

Anyone actually successfully found a way of resolving this? I do inhale Vicks in Hot Water every evening. No benefit yet.

Stoatman

592 posts

196 months

Thursday 3rd January 2019
quotequote all
I have this alot, doesnt sound quite as bad as yours however.

Can you fly , can you "pop" your ears ?

yellowtr

Original Poster:

1,190 posts

255 months

Thursday 3rd January 2019
quotequote all
Stoatman said:
I have this alot, doesnt sound quite as bad as yours however.

Can you fly , can you "pop" your ears ?
I have flown all round the world, never had a problem only this issue started about a few months back.

If I do the Valsavar Manuover all I get is cracking and no popping as such. I am honestly going stir crazy.


Edited by yellowtr on Thursday 3rd January 23:02

motco

17,607 posts

275 months

Thursday 3rd January 2019
quotequote all
I habitually use the Valsalva manoeuvre to open my eustachian tubes. It is only a temporary fix though.

steveT350C

6,728 posts

190 months

Friday 4th January 2019
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Threre is a minimally invasive procedure using a balloon cathater to dilate the eustacian tube. I was working for a company a few years ago that were developing the technology.

Googling 'eustacian tube balloon dilation'.... https://entsurrey.com/information/eustachian-tube-...

Stoatman

592 posts

196 months

Friday 4th January 2019
quotequote all
I was told and very much believe this technique to be poor as it effectively blows the gunk "upward" into the ear and does nothing to clear the tubes and the fluid.

I was taught an opposite manoeuver which "pulls" the fluid from the ears into the back of the throat. Its difficult to describe but it involves sort of trying to breath with a closed nose and mouth , pulling the air out of the mouth with the lungs.

motco

17,607 posts

275 months

Friday 4th January 2019
quotequote all
Now look what you've done Stoatman!



yikes

yellowtr

Original Poster:

1,190 posts

255 months

Friday 4th January 2019
quotequote all
Stoatman said:
I was told and very much believe this technique to be poor as it effectively blows the gunk "upward" into the ear and does nothing to clear the tubes and the fluid.

I was taught an opposite manoeuver which "pulls" the fluid from the ears into the back of the throat. Its difficult to describe but it involves sort of trying to breath with a closed nose and mouth , pulling the air out of the mouth with the lungs.
Thanks. Any ideas what it was called?

BigMacDaddy

967 posts

210 months

Friday 4th January 2019
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motco said:
Now look what you've done Stoatman!
laugh

TheAngryDog

13,228 posts

238 months

Friday 4th January 2019
quotequote all
I use the valsalva manoeuvre to close my tubes. I have the opposite issue to you. My tubes stay open which means I need an operation to have bioplastique injected into the tubes to fatten them out.

Stoatman

592 posts

196 months

Saturday 5th January 2019
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Sorry , I have searched and I cant find the technique name. I'll keep looking.

Stig

11,823 posts

313 months

Saturday 5th January 2019
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I’ve suffered from this for several years to carying degrees. Sometimes it’s fine, sometimes it drives me mental!

I’ve not had any surgical procedures, just tests, but I’m increasingly of the belief that it’s related to high blood pressure.

Had you had yours checked?

stuthemong

2,532 posts

246 months

Saturday 5th January 2019
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Feel for you.

When I struggle to equalise I find valsava doesn't work alone. If my left ear is struggling (normally my left) ill tilt my head to the right and massage with two fingers just under my ear/beind jaw bone, pushing into the soft tissue there where the tube passes. If I do this whilst valsvaing it tends to let me equalise. Really helps me. Hope it helps you.

Stu

motco

17,607 posts

275 months

Saturday 5th January 2019
quotequote all
stuthe said:
Feel for you.

When I struggle to equalise I find valsava doesn't work alone. If my left ear is struggling (normally my left) ill tilt my head to the right and massage with two fingers just under my ear/beind jaw bone, pushing into the soft tissue there where the tube passes. If I do this whilst valsvaing it tends to let me equalise. Really helps me. Hope it helps you.

Stu
Worth a try thanks. Swallowing whilst Valsalva-ing can accentuate its effect too.

yellowtr

Original Poster:

1,190 posts

255 months

Friday 18th January 2019
quotequote all
Stig said:
I’ve suffered from this for several years to carying degrees. Sometimes it’s fine, sometimes it drives me mental!

I’ve not had any surgical procedures, just tests, but I’m increasingly of the belief that it’s related to high blood pressure.

Had you had yours checked?
Hi,

Had it checked recently and it is all good.

The cracking is still happening. Otovent and SERC being done daily. Spoken to another ENY Specialist and seems to think Balloon Dilation surgery may be on the cards.

It's so distracting, its unreal.

smashy

3,108 posts

187 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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I have had this for years ,tried all sorts .........when I was trying to defeat this I found the professional pilots forum and so many have it.........just google pprune forum etd lots of info

yellowtr

Original Poster:

1,190 posts

255 months

Friday 25th January 2019
quotequote all
smashy said:
I have had this for years ,tried all sorts .........when I was trying to defeat this I found the professional pilots forum and so many have it.........just google pprune forum etd lots of info
Thank you. Has yours improved? Any procedures to help?