I don't know where this problem is really coming from, but I have some ideas. I have had eustachian tube dysfunction for the past 5 months or so (or maybe longer), arising from an mysterious problem (not sinus congestion, allergies, or fluid, nothing you would expect); I am guessing it may have been due to wearing earplugs and earmuffs long-term that created suction and pressure in my ear canals, as well as extreme muscle tension throughout my head.
For the past 2-3 weeks I have had a constant problem where my ear pops with a freakish 'plonk' or *boom* sound after swallowing; it is very loud and actually painful to feel. I believe it is my eardrum tube suddenly moving and being stretched in response to a rapid pressure change in my middle ear. That is because my middle ear seems to often be in a state of extreme negative pressure. Whatever it is, I have a terrible reaction to it; hearing loss, voice distortion, T spike, dizziness (but rarely vertigo), visual distortions, and more recently almost passing out. Tonight my ear 'exploded' big time, causing my visual field to go a little dark and me almost keeling over. Obviously, I am freaking out.
In order to try to prevent this from happening, I have had to resort to intentionally popping my ears, by opening my jaw quickly, to relieve the negative pressure which seems to develop in my eustachian tube. I do not use the valsava, tonboye, or any other type of risky maneuver to do this. Sometimes it stops the reaction from swallowing, and other times it makes it worse. I am almost wondering if it helped to cause the problem in the first place.
So, um, any thoughts about what is going on? Am I harming my inner (not middle) ears by doing the ear popping (via round window transfer of pressure)? How do I fix this problem (i.e, do I need a pressure equalization tube in my eardrum?).
Thanks for the help. I really need any thoughts and help right now!
For the past 2-3 weeks I have had a constant problem where my ear pops with a freakish 'plonk' or *boom* sound after swallowing; it is very loud and actually painful to feel. I believe it is my eardrum tube suddenly moving and being stretched in response to a rapid pressure change in my middle ear. That is because my middle ear seems to often be in a state of extreme negative pressure. Whatever it is, I have a terrible reaction to it; hearing loss, voice distortion, T spike, dizziness (but rarely vertigo), visual distortions, and more recently almost passing out. Tonight my ear 'exploded' big time, causing my visual field to go a little dark and me almost keeling over. Obviously, I am freaking out.
In order to try to prevent this from happening, I have had to resort to intentionally popping my ears, by opening my jaw quickly, to relieve the negative pressure which seems to develop in my eustachian tube. I do not use the valsava, tonboye, or any other type of risky maneuver to do this. Sometimes it stops the reaction from swallowing, and other times it makes it worse. I am almost wondering if it helped to cause the problem in the first place.
So, um, any thoughts about what is going on? Am I harming my inner (not middle) ears by doing the ear popping (via round window transfer of pressure)? How do I fix this problem (i.e, do I need a pressure equalization tube in my eardrum?).
Thanks for the help. I really need any thoughts and help right now!
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