Blocked ears

[southwell]

Hopefully someone will be able to point me in the right direction.

I have Tinnitus, i was diagnosed about 5 years ago. My hearing is still good and not really worse due to my problem.
My main issue has always been my ears wont pop. Recently in the last 6 months or so i have had mild headaches most days and more recently the pressure around my eyes and ears is worse. I saw my ENT specialist yesterday and he said there is nothing they can do as my drums and ears are fine, commenting grommits wouldn't allieviate the pressure.
I was suggested to try decongestants and nasal sprays, which i am already on, but they have made no impression.
My other issue is after he cleaned my ears out with a metal probe thing and vacuum thing (very technical, i know) they feel a lot stuffier than beforehand and it's worrying me a bit. Shouldn't my ears clear up within the day once they have dried out?

Has anyone had any experience with things that can help allieviate the pressure around my eyes and in my ears (i suspect its all in the eustachian tube)

Thanks for any help.

[Taf]

I am often in exactly the same situation... and with me it's the eustachian tubes which block either die to mild infection, a kink, or more often than not it's snot getting blown into the tube when blowing my nose. I've been told and told to leep my mouth open if I blow my nose, but I keep forgetting....

The medics won't put in grommets in adults around here... but both our twins had grommets twice due to middle ear infections (that connect to the eustachian tube for pressure equalisation).

Menthol crystal inhalations help sometimes..... but you sound as if you have sinus problems too.

And as for the tinnitus.... have you tried identifying the exact frequency, making it into a sound file, then blasting yourself for a few minutes? I do that occasionally and in my case it works... silence for a short while.

I used http://www.nch.com.au/tonegen/index.html to identify then duplicate the tone......

[southwell]

I am often in exactly the same situation... and with me it's the eustachian tubes which block either die to mild infection, a kink, or more often than not it's snot getting blown into the tube when blowing my nose. I've been told and told to leep my mouth open if I blow my nose, but I keep forgetting....

The medics won't put in grommets in adults around here... but both our twins had grommets twice due to middle ear infections (that connect to the eustachian tube for pressure equalisation).

Menthol crystal inhalations help sometimes..... but you sound as if you have sinus problems too.

And as for the tinnitus.... have you tried identifying the exact frequency, making it into a sound file, then blasting yourself for a few minutes? I do that occasionally and in my case it works... silence for a short while.

I used http://www.nch.com.au/tonegen/index.html to identify then duplicate the tone......
It's horrible, they only equalise under water, as soon as i come back up they are blocked again. Ive not tried the sound file thing, to be honest i can live with the ringing, i don't normally notice it until i go to bed.
I was suprised he doesn't think anything can be done, i would definately have grommits fitted if they helped me, i wish i was still privately insured so i dont have to wait two months for an appointment. :td:

Thanks for your advise, i will read up on the methanol crystal.

---------- Post added at 15:14 ---------- Previous post was at 14:25 ----------



And as for the tinnitus.... have you tried identifying the exact frequency, making it into a sound file, then blasting yourself for a few minutes? I do that occasionally and in my case it works... silence for a short while.

I used http://www.nch.com.au/tonegen/index.html to identify then duplicate the tone......
Ive just tried it and am a bit of a loss, how exactly did you know when to stop? I went through the range and could hear them all clearly, right up until i hurt. :erm::D

[Ramrod]

I use a manual technique to briefly 'straighten out' (for want of a better phrase) the eustachian tubes in patients who are complaining of symptoms like yours. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't :)
Dietary changes might help (stop all dairy intake for at least 3 months)
Manual lymph drainage might also help.

[southwell]

I use a manual technique to briefly 'straighten out' (for want of a better phrase) the eustachian tubes in patients who are complaining of symptoms like yours. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't :)
Dietary changes might help (stop all dairy intake for at least 3 months)
Manual lymph drainage might also help.
Thanks for that. Are you a doctor? Or would i have to go back to a specialist? I will look into cutting out dairy, i do have a fair amount of chesse and milk etc so i need to look into different breakfasts and things.

Thank you.

[Ramrod]

Thanks for that. Are you a doctor? Or would i have to go back to a specialist? I will look into cutting out dairy, i do have a fair amount of chesse and milk etc so i need to look into different breakfasts and things.

Thank you.I'm a chiropractor, but most chiros don't know that eustachian tube technique (no GPs either)
Cutting out dairy is a pain as it's in everything from sausages to crisps.....but it may be worthwhile....
Hopi ear candles (properly administered might help, but I don't know much about them)

[southwell]

I'm a chiropractor, but most chiros don't know that eustachian tube technique (no GPs either)
Cutting out dairy is a pain as it's in everything from sausages to crisps.....but it may be worthwhile....
Hopi ear candles (properly administered might help, but I don't know much about them)
Ok thanks.
My left ear just cleared slightly, but is now a bit painful so i think the stuffyness is due to the clean-out he did, hopefully over the weekend they will both be back to 'normal'
I appreciate your time.

Thanks

Ian

[Taf]

Dribble some olive oil into each ear to soften any hard wax, a cotton bung will help keep it in... then just wash them out with soap and water whilst in the bath/shower.

But don't forget that a little wax is a great defender of the ear canal...