I'm 23 and have had chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction in both ears for over 18 years. I'm told I have small Eustachian tubes. In addition I have high frequency tinnitus in both ears at 16 kHz due to many ear infections as a child despite prompt treatment. I had to fly interstate last year and had no problems the first flight but on the return flight during the descent I was unable to open my left Eustachian tube despite performing every maneuver to open it up. This resulted in extreme pressure and excruciating pain on left ear and face. As a result fluid filled my middle ear of which some still remains in that ear 7 months later. I was lucky to avoid a perforated eardrum HOWEVER an hour after the descent my tinnitus worsened significantly to the point it was impossible to mask it. The severe tinnitus lasted 6 months before finally returning to it's previous level before the flight.
I am now considering getting grommets installed in my eardrums as I plan to fly frequently and don't want to risk any middle and more importantly inner ear damage. Has anyone here had grommets put in and if so did it make your tinnitus worse? I've tried Oxymetazoline with some success but don't want to risk it and fly as my Eustachian tubes will often simply not open despite trying everything.
I am now considering getting grommets installed in my eardrums as I plan to fly frequently and don't want to risk any middle and more importantly inner ear damage. Has anyone here had grommets put in and if so did it make your tinnitus worse? I've tried Oxymetazoline with some success but don't want to risk it and fly as my Eustachian tubes will often simply not open despite trying everything.
