EarPopper Cured My Tinnitus

[Jskimble]

I had an instance where I was suffering from tinnitus for a while, it was the most frustrating experience, all I wanted to do was sleep because when I was sleeping I couldn't hear anything. It can lead to depression and anxiety so definitely talk to someone about it, even though this in itself can be frustrating because of the hearing loss.

I tried all the classics, swallowing water while holding my nose etc, nothing worked.

What did work was a device called an EarPopper:

https://www.amazon.com/EarPopper-Home-Version-Summit-Medical/dp/B01MU03MER/

It works by blowing air into one nostril while you hold the other closed, and you then swallow. If you find this difficult try doing it with some water.

In my experience it created a popping sensation followed by almost instant return of sound.

I had to use it multiple times but it was effective and cleared my tinnitus.

If you feel congested or feel swelling or pressure around your ear jaw and neck area, it's likely your eustachian tubes are not draining correctly, this led to tinnitus in my case.

 

[Tony Phylactou]

Use above method with care. It can result in ear drum damage if not used properly.

 

[Clare Johnson]

For me what worked better was the Otovent. I believe it's safer than the EarPopper. Still have tinnitus but mine is due to inflammation from Lyme disease. Congrats on yours being gone!

 

[martinberryhorse]

Tried the EarPopper. Made sure I used it correctly, ended up hurting my right ear slightly (just mild pain) but no increased ringing, and the air refused to go into the left ear.

I don't know what to think of that, it's been a few months since then so I figured I'd try the Otovent. Should arrive in a few days.

 

[wocaonima]

EarPopper reduced the volume of my tinnitus the first time I used it, but then it has not offered any further help any more..

 

[Wakingknowledge]

When I was a young kid, I had a similar issue and it drove me crazy for weeks. I finally had my father drive me to the ENT doc and he literally took a fine tipped metal tool and poked a hole in my eardrum. I now it sounds insane. I heard a large whooshing sound and yelled, "I am gonna puke get me a bucket!" I did not puke. Ever since then my ear did not bother me. strange.

 

[Shera]

I think my ears being unable to equalize is a big reason for my T. Sadly because it's TMJ related nothing really helps.

Glad this worked for you though!

 

[linearb]

This device, and Otovent, have been helpful in opening blocked e-tubes following viral illnesses, but have not done much for my tinnitus. However, if someone had temporarily reduced hearing as a result of blocked tubes as the cause of their tinnitus, then I understand how this would work.

I sometimes get bouts of fleeting tinnitus from blowing my nose or opening my e-tubes, and I try to ignore it because who know what it means.

 

[Gavin999]

Still have tinnitus but mine is due to inflammation from Lyme disease.

Interesting what you say about Lyme disease. My tinnitus has got much worse since a tick bite over a year ago.

 

[just1morething]

What did work was a device called an EarPopper:

https://www.amazon.com/EarPopper-Home-Version-Summit-Medical/dp/B01MU03MER/

It works by blowing air into one nostril while you hold the other closed, and you then swallow. If you find this difficult try doing it with some water.

In my experience it created a popping sensation followed by almost instant return of sound.

I had to use it multiple times but it was effective and cleared my tinnitus.

If you feel congested or feel swelling or pressure around your ear jaw and neck area, it's likely your eustachian tubes are not draining correctly, this led to tinnitus in my case.

This actually helped me. Initially it made my static worse but after a couple days it got much better. I still have high pitched sound though.

 

[KWC]

This actually helped me. Initially it made my static worse but after a couple days it got much better. I still have high pitched sound though.

Are you saying you just tried EarPopper and it helped?

 

[just1morething]

Are you saying you just tried EarPopper and it helped?

Nothing works consistently for me. I'm getting a cervical epidural Thursday. I'm not sure if my left TMJ and neck is involved? I may be good for one day and then I wake up with noise. I probably use the EarPopper too much.

 

[KWC]

Nothing works consistently for me. I'm getting a cervical epidural Thursday. I'm not sure if my left TMJ and neck is involved? I may be good for one day and then I wake up with noise. I probably use the EarPopper too much.

Have you ever tried a upper cervical chiropractor? I may try the EarPopper... I have yet to find anything that will relieve the noise at all.

 

[just1morething]

Have you ever tried a upper cervical chiropractor? I may try the EarPopper... I have yet to find anything that will relieve the noise at all.

I tried almost everything. I have a swirling noise in my head now.

 

[KWC]

@just1morething, how did the epidural go?

Did it help?

 

[just1morething]

@just1morething, how did the epidural go?

Did it help?

I cancelled it for now. I have an appointment at Piper TMJ clinic on April 19th. I didn't get any help from Mayo Rochester. They will do a new TMJ MRI. I don't really have pain in my TMJ, just the noise. I think it's related. My right TMJ is normal.

 

[KWC]

I cancelled it for now. I have an appointment at Piper TMJ clinic on April 19th. I didn't get any help from Mayo Rochester. They will do a new TMJ MRI. I don't really have pain in my TMJ, just the noise. I think it's related. My right TMJ is normal.

I hope it goes well. It looks like the cost is out of pocket. Let us know how it goes for you.

 

[just1morething]

I hope it goes well. It looks like the cost is out of pocket. Let us know how it goes for you.

I might see if I can get the cervical epidural done locally instead of 80 miles away. I had one done last year about this time and a couple weeks later a lumbar epidural.

 

[KWC]

I cancelled it for now. I have an appointment at Piper TMJ clinic on April 19th. I didn't get any help from Mayo Rochester. They will do a new TMJ MRI. I don't really have pain in my TMJ, just the noise. I think it's related. My right TMJ is normal.

I hope you are hanging in there. I see your appointment with Piper TMJ clinic is coming up. Let us know how it goes for you and good luck!

Ken

 

[just1morething]

I hope you are hanging in there. I see your appointment with Piper TMJ clinic is coming up. Let us know how it goes for you and good luck!

Ken

Thanks. I hope you are doing better! I will update. Flight leaves 7:30 am this Saturday.

 

[Backpacker]

Flight

Do you have to travel by plane?

 

[just1morething]

Do you have to travel by plane?

Yes. It's a 4 hour flight. MSP to St. Petersburg. Too long to drive and driving has irritated my noise lately. It's a direct flight. I mainly had problems with 2 stage flights in the past. I'm bringing my EarPopper and will take a decongestant 1 hour before landing. I might also try EarPlanes.

 

[KWC]

Yes. It's a 4 hour flight. MSP to St. Petersburg. Too long to drive and driving has irritated my noise lately. It's a direct flight. I mainly had problems with 2 stage flights in the past. I'm bringing my EarPopper and will take a decongestant 1 hour before landing. I might also try EarPlanes.

View attachment 44554

How did all of it go? I saw you posted on Syb's profile page "I got checked out at Piper Clinic in Petersburg FL. today. My left TMJ is bad and there is a lot of inflammation around it. Amazing detail on their imaging. I had a new MRI and CT".

What treatment plan is there? Did they indicate your tinnitus might get better?

 

[just1morething]

How did all of it go? I saw you posted on Syb's profile page "I got checked out at Piper Clinic in Petersburg FL. today. My left TMJ is bad and there is a lot of inflammation around it. Amazing detail on their imaging. I had a new MRI and CT".

What treatment plan is there? Did they indicate your tinnitus might get better?

No guarantees, but it seems likely inflammation is contributing. I have bone on bone in left TMJ. I'm thinking if steroid injection calms down my noise the inflammation is a factor. It was less than 3 hour flight. Nice weather here. I don't regret going to Piper Clinic. Dr. Shah was great. I got to see all the images with a split screen in another room. If my noise was gone I would be so much happier. I'm going to submit charges to my insurance even though it's out of network.

 

[KWC]

No guarantees, but it seems likely inflammation is contributing. I have bone on bone in left TMJ. I'm thinking if steroid injection calms down my noise the inflammation is a factor. It was less than 3 hour flight. Nice weather here. I don't regret going to Piper Clinic. Dr. Shah was great. I got to see all the images with a split screen in another room. If my noise was gone I would be so much happier. I'm going to submit charges to my insurance even though it's out of network.

Thanks. So how do you treat it? Are they treating you further? Also if you do not mind me asking what was total cost of visit? I hope you can get the treatment to help.

 

[just1morething]

Thanks. So how do you treat it? Are they treating you further? Also if you do not mind me asking what was total cost of visit? I hope you can get the treatment to help.

It was $2000 plus $650 for the MRI, which was done a few blocks away. I think I was in the MRI machine for about 45 minutes. I was glad to get that over with. I used foam earplugs plus headphones.

 

[KWC]

It was $2000 plus $650 for the MRI, which was done a few blocks away. I think I was in the MRI machine for about 45 minutes. I was glad to get that over with. I used foam earplugs plus headphones.

Good to know. What is your treatment plan/next steps?

 

[KWC]

No guarantees, but it seems likely inflammation is contributing. I have bone on bone in left TMJ. I'm thinking if steroid injection calms down my noise the inflammation is a factor. It was less than 3 hour flight. Nice weather here. I don't regret going to Piper Clinic. Dr. Shah was great. I got to see all the images with a split screen in another room. If my noise was gone I would be so much happier. I'm going to submit charges to my insurance even though it's out of network.

How do you treat the inflammation?

 

[KWC]

It was $2000 plus $650 for the MRI, which was done a few blocks away. I think I was in the MRI machine for about 45 minutes. I was glad to get that over with. I used foam earplugs plus headphones.

I hope you are doing better and have devised a plan to address your inflammation.

kwc

 

[just1morething]

@KWC, sorry I'm slow getting back to you. I was doing better today until I napped once again. There is something partly connected to my sleep cycle that restarts my tinnitus; it's frustrating. I felt tired all day and the inevitable happened.

So I'm not totally sure it's related to my left jaw or not? I'm getting a sleep study done on 6-2. I'm kind of busy getting my farm equipment ready to sell but the noise and some spinal issues make me not too productive and unhappy more than I would like. I take it you're suffering fairly bad most days?