Eustachian tube dysfunction: Hi, got covid in... - Tinnitus UK

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Eustachian tube dysfunction

18 Replies

Hi, got covid in feb this year, right ear still blocked. Many visits to surgery and audiologist. Diagnosed Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Trapped negative pressure in ear, won’t budge.

Can feel liquid in ear on a bad day and constant popping, pressure in the year hirts.

Been referred to ENT but have to wait a year.

i’d like to know if anyone has advice on soothing the symptoms. i chew a lot of gum which helps! Does otovent work?

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18 Replies
CamperT25 profile image
CamperT25

Hi, I get this a lot. Inhaling steam with Olbas Oil in the water helps to open the tubes. The popping us bormal but annoying. Definitely try the steam. Ypu can ger special cups from chemist to help.

Cool-human profile image
Cool-human in reply to CamperT25

Have you been prescribed Nasonex yet.? That was my first port of call.”Also, the Eustachian tube can be drained by GP. Or mine was prepared to.

But my tinnitus is not that .( LIMBIC TINNITUS)

Stay positive.

Regards Daniel

in reply to Cool-human

Thanks for your reply Cool-human. My GP has only suggested seeing the specialist!🤫 The audiologist suggested a spray a few days ago. I’ll give the GP a call again. The drainage procedure sounds interesting.

in reply to CamperT25

Thanks for your reply, I will definitely try this😀

Cool-human profile image
Cool-human in reply to

Welcome.

Mille23 profile image
Mille23

I use an Eustachi device, which can blow air into the nostrils , one at a time. Before this procedure I use a neti pot. Unfortunately it does not help in the long run, but I get a short release every time I do it.

in reply to Mille23

Hi Mille23, thanks for your reply, I’ll search for the Eustachi device, not heard of this or the neti pot. A short relief would be welcome 😀

Marydandy1 profile image
Marydandy1

Steroid nasal spray is supposed to help? I have same thing and it went eventually- try Vasalva technique a few times a day (google for instructions). It does go away eventually!

in reply to Marydandy1

Hi,, thanks for your reply, I tried this 2 months ago and the left ear popped. Managed a perforated ear drum ( healed by now) Must have blown too hard or something. The nurse was saying you can do the technique just for one ear by blocking the left nostril. Have you heard if that is possible?

Marydandy1 profile image
Marydandy1 in reply to

I did it for both by holding both nostrils shut as you don’t get the pressure otherwise? I think just don’t do it too hard! Mine took a few weeks post covid to go - it will get there eventually!!

Squarkyboy profile image
Squarkyboy

I have ETD doesn’t sound as badly blocked as yours though but it causes tinnitus which is annoying when trying to sleep. I have been prescribed Flixinase which is a steroid spray which I use twice a day (2 sprays up each nostril). What i find helps me shift the gunk before I go to bed is holding a mouthful of warm tea for a minute, be careful not to burn your mouth, you have to gauge the temperature yourself. And then I suck and spit out into the sink. It works for me and my T subsides somewhat and I can get off to sleep. Hope things work out for you

Brilliant, thank you. I like the tea suggestion. I should ask for nasal spray at some point too.

Squarkyboy profile image
Squarkyboy in reply to

Just to expand on the tea method. When i gauge the tea temperature is at a temperature which I can hold in my mouth without burning i hold it in my mouth with my cheeks blown out, I hold it for a minute and then I swallow the tea. I might do it a few times while I watching TV. Eventually the tea temperature drops down and the I go to the sink suck in my mouth and spit out the gunk. Hope it helps, good luck

Tanney profile image
Tanney

first line of treatment is usually a decongestant and/or nasal antihistamine spray. It usually takes a few weeks to be effective. Have you tried this?

in reply to Tanney

Thanks for this Tanney. I have seen the GP three times. Prescribed antibiotic ear drops, then prescribed two sets of oral antibiotics. The clarithromycin floored me and I’m fit. Obv didn’t work. I have seen the audiologist for the third time on Monday and he mentioned the spray. The negative pressure is the problem. It would make sense to contact GP again for decon/spray Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post, it has been really helpful.

Tissybelltent profile image
Tissybelltent

Hi Zinge. I feel for you, I really do. I still get it occasionally but it has cleared on the whole the massaging techniques I learned from videos. Here is one youtu.be/1-SZ1r1dnho I hope this helps you . God Bless 💗💗💗

Izzie11 profile image
Izzie11

i've seen a specialist ent and apparently there's this balloon procedure which can help with this issue. am looking into this and might try it as it has affected my hearing on the left ear

in reply to Izzie11

thanks for posting Izzie11. The audiologists mentioned the balloon procedure to me but didn’t try. I still have the problem in right ear but it is a bit better. Chewing gum sorts of help. Am down to see Ent specialist but this can take a year i was told. Did they mention grommet? Thanks again :)

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