Help with Ear Issue - Serious

[Dbeasy 15296]

I'm hoping there is someone on Surly who can help me with a very serious ear/hearing issue. I had a clogged ear for several months. Not too bad, just difficult to hear.  Over the last few weeks it's gotten way worse. I went to an ENT and did a hearing test, MRI and ECog Test. The MRI was fine. The ECog test showed abnormalities in both ears, even though only one ear is plugged. I've also taken prednisone. It's still bad. In talking with the ENT and googling, it's my understanding that I could be facing permanent hearing loss, depending upon what it might be, and time is of the essence. I think my ENT is jumping immediately to Meniere's Disease as the cause, but I'm not so sure that's it. When I moved back to Austin two years ago, my allergies were so bad, it was almost intolerable. I'm wondering if there could be another, potentially less serious issue going on. Does anyone know any true experts on ear/hearing loss that I could get a second opinion from?

[Gatorubet 30441]

I'm hoping there is someone on Surly who can help me with a very serious ear/hearing issue. I had a clogged ear for several months. Not too bad, just difficult to hear.  Over the last few weeks it's gotten way worse. I went to an ENT and did a hearing test, MRI and ECog Test. The MRI was fine. The ECog test showed abnormalities in both ears, even though only one ear is plugged. I've also taken prednisone. It's still bad. In talking with the ENT and googling, it's my understanding that I could be facing permanent hearing loss, depending upon what it might be, and time is of the essence. I think my ENT is jumping immediately to Meniere's Disease as the cause, but I'm not so sure that's it. When I moved back to Austin two years ago, my allergies were so bad, it was almost intolerable. I'm wondering if there could be another, potentially less serious issue going on. Does anyone know any true experts on ear/hearing loss that I could get a second opinion from?

Get an ent to put in a t-tube and vacuum out that viscous honey from the one ear. Steroids and antibiotic won’t clear it

all i got

[ernest_t_bass 1196]

It's piss

[Irish Wrist Watch 1414]

It sounds like what you're talking about is pressure - the kind you get when you scuba and reach a certain depth. You hold your nose and pop your ears. I've never done that because my ears/hearing is fucked up.I've never been able to hear high notes in one ear, and my ability to hear them in the other is steadily declining. Your problem could well be standard deterioration aided by weakened circulation caused by allergies/swelling. Don't put undiluted peroxide in your ear. You could take Sudofed for a few days and see if it helps. I used to have chronic sinusitis. My sinuses were always full of mucous, glomming onto airborne irritants, which caused more mucous. Sudofed worked for me. I took one 30mg tab a day for a few years. Doc did not like this idea.  (recommended dosage per Mayoclinic.org is.

"Adults and children 12 years of age and older—60 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours. Do not take more than 240 mg in twenty-four hours.")

sudofed's own site says "temporarily relieves sinus pressure and congestion"

and is not supposed to be taken for more than a few days or a week or two. When I stopped the daily routine, I started getting some arthritis in my hands.

A doc told me his wife had been taking 1 claritin a day for years - that it was pretty harmless. That's what I've been doing for the last few years. If I stop for a few days, the arthritis returns. I use the cheap generic. My sinusitis is no longer a problem. My theory is that Claritin dries out membranes thru some kind of anti-inflammatory ingredient. (Worth noting that HCQ has anti inflammatory properties and is taken off label for arthritis, probably by millions of Americans)

I think you can maybe clean your ears with a 50/50 dilution of peroxide using a cotton swab. Some docs say you should not use swabs. Consider getting a phonak hearing aid from Costco. They are excellent. I couldn't believe what I'd been missing. (Just one ear)

Edited August 13, 2020 by Irish Wrist Watch

[msbesq 388]

You need a referral to a specialized ENT called a neurotologist.

[tx 3 putt 78027]

Did they flush it out ?

[Dbeasy 15296]

1 hour ago, Gatorubet said:

Get an ent to put in a t-tube and vacuum out that viscous honey from the one ear. Steroids and antibiotic won’t clear it

all i got

Supposedly my problem is in the inner ear, I think.

1 hour ago, ernest_t_bass said:

It's piss

That's what I figured.

48 minutes ago, Irish Wrist Watch said:

It sounds like what you're talking about is pressure - the kind you get when you scuba and reach a certain depth. You hold your nose and pop your ears. I've never done that because my ears/hearing is fucked up.I've never been able to hear high notes in one ear, and my ability to hear them in the other is steadily declining. Your problem could well be standard deterioration aided by weakened circulation caused by allergies/swelling. Don't put undiluted peroxide in your ear. You could take Sudofed for a few days and see if it helps. I used to have chronic sinusitis. My sinuses were always full of mucous, glomming onto airborne irritants, which caused more mucous. Sudofed worked for me. I took one 30mg tab a day for a few years. Doc did not like this idea.  (recommended dosage per Mayoclinic.org is.

"Adults and children 12 years of age and older—60 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours. Do not take more than 240 mg in twenty-four hours.")

sudofed's own site says "temporarily relieves sinus pressure and congestion"

and is not supposed to be taken for more than a few days or a week or two. When I stopped the daily routine, I started getting some arthritis in my hands.

A doc told me his wife had been taking 1 claritin a day for years - that it was pretty harmless. That's what I've been doing for the last few years. If I stop for a few days, the arthritis returns. I use the cheap generic. My sinusitis is no longer a problem. My theory is that Claritin dries out membranes thru some kind of anti-inflammatory ingredient. (Worth noting that HCQ has anti inflammatory properties and is taken off label for arthritis, probably by millions of Americans)

I think you can maybe clean your ears with a 50/50 dilution of peroxide using a cotton swab. Some docs say you should not use swabs. Consider getting a phonak hearing aid from Costco. They are excellent. I couldn't believe what I'd been missing. (Just one ear)

The sensation is exactly as you describe, but it's been six months. Have tried everything OTC there is.

26 minutes ago, msbesq said:

You need a referral to a specialized ENT called a neurotologist.

This is exactly what I was wondering about, whether I need to be talking with more of a specialist.

17 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

Did they flush it out ?

They did, but problem is inner ear.

[tx 3 putt 78027]

Find a better dr 

[Jerry Callo 8862]

Are you experiencing episodes of vertigo or dizziness?  My SIL was just diagnosed with Meniere's Disease and her primary symptom was debilitating vertigo.

 

[Dbeasy 15296]

No and that’s why I don’t think it’s menieres.

[Irish Wrist Watch 1414]

BTW, do you have tight neck muscles? If so, consider doing some stretches on the scalines. A good massage therapist can kick their ass. Moist heat helps too.

Edited August 13, 2020 by Irish Wrist Watch

[Dbeasy 15296]

BTW, do you have tight neck muscles? If so, consider doing some stretches on the scalines. A good massage therapist can kick their ass. Moist heat helps too.

So this is a strange question. Would tight neck muscles somehow impact hearing? As a matter of fact I’ve been battling neck pain for months that feels like disc issues. It comes from exercising on a treadmill I believe combined with previous issues with the neck off and on over the last two years.

[Alex Karev 1038]

Certain nerves in your disc can effect taste, smell, and hearing.

I would think it is possibility that it could effect hearing.

 

[Irish Wrist Watch 1414]

3 hours ago, Dbeasy said:

So this is a strange question. Would tight neck muscles somehow impact hearing? As a matter of fact I’ve been battling neck pain for months that feels like disc issues. It comes from exercising on a treadmill I believe combined with previous issues with the neck off and on over the last two years.

By chance, do you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen?

[Dbeasy 15296]

By chance, do you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen?

Only about 10 hours a day.

[TonyTexas 10591]

I think it’s strange that you are seeking medical advise from a message board. Particularly this one. 

[deadshank 24653]

46 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

I think it’s strange that you are seeking medical advise from a message board. Particularly this one. 

But there is a lot of smart guys on this board.  Just ask them. They’ll tell you. 

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

4 minutes ago, deadshank said:

But there is a lot of smart guys on this board.  Just ask them. They’ll tell you. 

Damn skippy........

[TonyTexas 10591]

40 minutes ago, deadshank said:

But there is a lot of smart guys on this board.  Just ask them. They’ll tell you. 

Paging ChiTownDoc

[RMac5 1551]

Myringotomy 

[Dbeasy 15296]

I think it’s strange that you are seeking medical advise from a message board. Particularly this one. 

This board is full of people wanting to hear about other people’s knowledge and experience on various topics. I’m not asking someone to saw open my head and perform surgery - unless I can get a good deal.

[deadshank 24653]

16 minutes ago, Dbeasy said:

This board is full of people wanting to hear about other people’s knowledge and experience on various topics. I’m not asking someone to saw open my head and perform surgery - unless I can get a good deal.

Good deal, you say?   I’ll do it for free.  

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

21 minutes ago, deadshank said:

Good deal, you say?   I’ll do it for free.  

Those nail gun do come in handy from time to time.  You can get pretty damn precise with your aim.

[deadshank 24653]

1 minute ago, Onboard 2.0 said:

Those nail gun do come in handy from time to time.  You can get pretty damn precise with your aim.

Nope.  I’m using a sawzall with a worn and rusty demolition blade.  

[gyroprotagonist 2595]

interesting.  i pop my ears all the time as pressure builds up.  I have one ear that is significantly worse at hearing than the other. I sleep on my side with the bad ear up to drown out noise while sleep

2nd opinion could not hurt.  get some rec's from your area.

[Irish Wrist Watch 1414]

2 hours ago, Dbeasy said:

This board is full of people wanting to hear about other people’s knowledge and experience on various topics. I’m not asking someone to saw open my head and perform surgery - unless I can get a good deal.

I'm sure you can find some surgeons who claim to know the answer and will happily open you up, but I think exploring every other option should come first. Back when I used to blindly trust chiropractors, it seemed as though getting my neck popped would help reduce my tinnitus. There are air passages throughout the skull, I think. Plus you've got capillaries and a lymphatic system. I could see how if something got out of whack, it could affect hearing.

I have had only two outstanding massage therapists in my life. Both were very aggressive stretching muscles. They would hold a given muscle, then make you move it. It was painful, but not only did it feel great afterwards, the affects would last. The best of the two would slip a finger behind a scaline then make you nod your head as you twisted it away. The muscle is so strong that it was difficult to hold. You can kind of do it yourself by turning your head right, putting your thumb where the right scaline connects near your clavicle, pressing in and then doing the nod maneuver. It runs right up behind your ear. You'll get some relief, but be careful. I'm not a doctor, btw.

[Dbeasy 15296]

Appreciate the thoughts from everyone. I've learned a few different directions I can investigate.

[deadshank 24653]

1 minute ago, Dbeasy said:

Appreciate the thoughts from everyone. I've learned a few different directions I can investigate.

So when do I get to saw open your dome?

[Message Board User 12397]

It's just the flu.

[52-80 19291]

8 hours ago, TonyTexas said:

I think it’s strange that you are seeking medical advise from a message board. Particularly this one. 

There's actually an ear doc on here. 

[deadshank 24653]

1 hour ago, 52-80 said:

There's actually an ear doc on here. 

Huh?  There’s a camel in my yard?  What did you say?  OK. 

Edited August 14, 2020 by deadshank

[Paco 1934]

Have you tried acupuncture?

[Paco 1934]

Have you tried gargling salt water?

[Paco 1934]

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior?

[RMac5 1551]

Do you trim the fat from your brisket?

[Deej 77311]

9 hours ago, Irish Wrist Watch said:

I have had only two outstanding massage therapists in my life. Both were very aggressive stretching muscles. They would hold a given muscle, then make you move it. 

They work at Orchids in Jupiter, Florida?

[immortal13 4059]

[Dbeasy 15296]

Do you trim the fat from your brisket?

I order lean brisket.

[CDAK 216]

My left ear has felt like it was full for about 7 or 8 years now. I think I still hear about the same out of it. Saw 2 doctors 7ish years ago. Both told me to take Sudafed, which I did. It didn't relive the fullness or help at all. One asked me to track what I ate for a week and get back to him. I didn't. Some days are better than others. On a bad day, I might yawn to pop my ear 500 times. It provides momentary relief, but always goes back to feeling full within seconds.

The above might sound bad but I've gotten used to it. It doesn't affect my quality of life. Maybe I'll see a doc again at some point. 

[Irish Wrist Watch 1414]

[Dbeasy 15296]

On 8/15/2020 at 2:05 AM, Irish Wrist Watch said:

well this didn't work at all but I now at least have very clean nose hairs.

[Irish Wrist Watch 1414]

I can attest to the fact that tight neck muscles can cause malocclusion. It's temporary, fixable by certain stretches. The question is, can malocclusion cause hearing problems. You'll get about 600,000 hits if you google this "malocclusion causing hearing problem". Looks like the top results answer the question. Burt Reynolds had a famous case of TMJ.