Hello, all,

I'm very happy to have found these boards. Sometimes a big part of getting through something is knowing you're not alone. It's been a big help so far and I'm hoping to hear from others about some specific issues. First, a little history.

About 3 months ago, at the age of 53, I developed ETD. I've been seeing an otolaryngologist for five or six years, because I have a 50% hearing loss in both ears. I already take Rhinocort Aqua and Semprex-D for allergies, so he tried Prednisone. When that didn't work he inserted ventilation tubes in both ears. It's been 10 days. My ears feel like they're stuffed with cotton. There's fullness, other people's voices sound far away and my voice sounds (to me, only) like I have a cold.

I saw the doc today. My ears are healthy and the tubes are clear and doing what they're supposed to be doing. I had hearing tests as well. When the doc gets back to his main office tomorrow he'll compare today's results to the old ones and advise me but he admits to not knowing why my ears feel the way they do, except that the EDT probably is still playing a part. He said that removing the tubes is an option. Also, I will be seeing an allergist, as that seems the likely cause of the original EDT.

So, has anyone heard of feelings of fullness and reduced hearing after ventilation tubes? And does anyone know anything about the process of removal? I'd also be gratefulfor any suggestions for questions I might ask the doc.

Thanks!

Plum

I had 'grommets' inserted yesterday in the hope of resolving various problems with my ears and I am currently experiencing exactly the symptoms you describe.

My ENT consultant says they look fine but my hearing is dull and I can now hear the pulse in my ears. I hope these are temporary if not I may have them removed. I intend however to persevere for a few weeks yet as apparently too many ops on the eardrums can cause more problems.

You're not alone...

Thanks, Lomond. This couldn't have come at a better time.

I decided to try another short course of Prednisone and was starting to feel a little bit hopeful, then woke up this morning with something of a set back. I read Michael's post "the psychology of stuffy" on the Inner Ear Disorders board (which is where I meant to put my original message) and it echoed something I'd been thinking. I have a stressful day ahead. Difficult stress with a long day coming up at work, and pleasant stress, but stress none the less, with a trivia competition tonight. I was so bent on being "rested" for this day that I may have stressed myself out more, causing the symptoms to kick up a notch. I think it's wise to wait on removing the grommets, too, and your dose of pragmatism was most helpful. Thank you!

As a matter of interest, how did you find out that it may be an allergy that is causing the problem?

My otolaryngologist wants to check all the possibilities and allergies seem to be a common cause. He also wants to consider TMJ. From what I've been reading on the TMJ board, it's starting to look the odds on favorite for what's been going on with me.

I have my right ear inserted with ventilation tube two days ago. Now I'm having the same symptoms as you guys. My hearing in the right ear now is not normal as before...I feel my own voice bouncing and I do have those flu-like tone. Are these symptoms normal after the surgery? Will they go away some time later?

I wished I have my normal hearing back. My right ear pressure was escalating so my ENT specialist recommended this ventilation tube. My left ear still has the popping sound my ENT said it's not harmful. All these started when I catched a cold last December.

I'm a 22 years old female. I have my right ear inserted with ventilation tube two days ago. Now I'm having the same symptoms as you guys after the surgery, ie.hearing dull tones, a bit of flu like sounds and I feel my own voice bouncing in the right ear. Also when I burp I can feel the impact at my ear drum. Are these symptoms normal after the surgery? Will they go away after some time? Do you guys still having these symptoms now?

I have to insert this tube as my right ear's pressure was escalating. My left ear still has the popping sound. All these happened when I catched a cold last December. Poor me. Hope you guys can tell me some experiences of yours after the surgery.

Hi, Florence. Right after this started happening I did many searches, trying to find if these effects were common or usual. Either my search construction wasn't very good or these effects aren't common, because I didn't find much about problems after ventilation tube insertion. When the symptoms didn't go away in 10 days, my own doc seemed puzzled and sent me to be evaluated by a dentist and an allergist.

I've seen the dentist. He concurred with my doc's tentative diagnosis of TMJ. I've been doing a few things to take care of that problem and it's helped some of the symptoms.

I think the grommets are responsible for the echoing voice. That's the thing that hasn't improved. I won't really be sure until after I get my new appliance for the TMJ, which is four weeks away. I'm giving serious thought to having the tubes removed though, as Lomond said, I prefer to wait as long as possible before messing with my ear drums any further.

Since your surgery is so recent, you might find the symptoms really will go away in 7 to 10 days. I hope this proves to be the case for you. Please let us know how you're doing.

Plum

[This message has been edited by Plum (edited 08-05-2003).]

Lomond, you around? How are you doing? Any changes?

Plum

Thanks Plum...I'll wait for another 10 days and see how things going on. By the way, you done your grommets under local or general aneasthetia?

I learned that it's important not to let water into the ear. I'm really careful when bathing especially washing my hair. I'm currently using those ear plugs where you mould them according to your ear opening size. So far can you recommend which ear plugs that are reliable for bathing?

I think I might have to face plenty of problems when going to the hair salon to get my hair cut. They wouldn't understand our situations I guess and definitely not so gentle and meticulous on preventing the water into our ears.

I had local anesthetic. The actual insertion didn't hurt but the anesthetic was most uncomfortable. Another reason I hope to avoid having to have the tubes removed.

I'm using the wax ear plugs, which is what I think you're talking about. They work well enough for showering. If I were going to be doing a lot of swimming, though, I think I'd opt for the custom molded ones my doc makes.

My hairdresser is pretty good about things like this. I hope you can find someone equally understanding.