These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as
recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is
always advised to consult their own physician.
[posted 06/27/2000]
Question: Hello, I'm so glad I found this web site. I hope you will be able to give me some advice and help. I have had a problem for approximately the last 5 years in my left ear. I can hear my voice and breathing very loudly inside my ear. It's difficult to describe, but it sounds like I am hearing everything that is going on inside my head. It's almost as if there is a microphone in my left ear which picks up all the noise inside my head and face. example- I can loudly hear my breathing, swallowing, and when I speak- I don't know if I am speaking clearly or if I sound strange to other people. Although I can still hear what other people are saying just fine. My ears are not plugged when this happens. It is not the feeling you get on an airplane. When it started 5 year ago, I didn't do anything about it because it happened so infrequently and would last for only a few minutes. However in the past couple of years it has just gotten worse and worse. Currently, I don't get this problem every day. But, it does usually happen a couple of times a week. And it lasts anywhere from a couple of hours to a whole day. This problem is often triggered if I blow my nose, or if I haven't eaten for a while. However, that may just be a coincidence, because it often happens for no apparent reason too. I should add, I used to always have a stuffy or runny nose year round, but these symptoms are mostly gone ever since I started on the medications I will now speak about. My primary doctor put me on Allegra and Flonase for my nose and ear problem. I took them every day for almost a year and it never helped my ear problem. He then referred me to an ENT. I ended up going to 3 different ENT's who all told me I needed to see an allergist. When I saw the allergist she told me to continue to take the Allegra and Flonase but also put me on an OTC medication called Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 60 mg. I took it for a week, but it gave me a very nervous feeling and made me constantly feel like I was on cold medicine. I went back to the allergist and had a blood test done which only showed that I had a slight allergy to dust. At that point, she had me get off the OTC medication. And prescribed Guaifen-PPA 400mg-75mg, for me to take in addition to my Allegra and Flonase. In the two weeks that I took that medication, I became very sensitive emotionally and very depressed (I even had thoughts of killing myself, although I have never previously had thoughts like that and I am a generally very happy person) By the way on this prescription it says- generic for Entex LA. When I told my allergist my reaction to it, she told me to discontinue use immediately. All the while, my ear problem continued, even while I was taking that medication which depressed me. My allergist has now recently taken me off the Allegra and Flonase and has put me on Nasonex- 50mcg, and on Claritin-D.
I still get my ear problem and ever since I started taking the Nasonex- 50mcg and Claritin-D, I am constantly nervous. I am wired- like I'm wide awake, but tired at the same time. Can you please offer me any suggestions to cure my ear problem. Also, is there a name for this problem? My allergist has told me this is an allergy problem and there is nothing more she can really do about it. But, if it is an allergy, why is it only in my left ear, and never in the right? And,does this mean I have to live with this problem for the rest of my life?
Answer: It sounds like there is chronic fluid in the ear, probably caused by poor drainage of through the eustacian tube. What did the ENTs think? Usually, if the antihistamines do no help this problem an ear tube(like they use on 4 year olds for chronic ear infections) will relieve the problem.
Ear Problem [posted 1/11/99]
Question: Is it safe to drive through the desert (and High Mountains) with a cold
(which consists of consistent headaches, ear aches, and coughing)? We have to go to a
wedding in Nevada. I've had ear problems since I was a child (tubes).
Answer: Sure, but you may experience ear pain. Take some gum to chew.
Broken Ear Drum [posted
12/11/98]
Question: Is a broken or ruptured ear drum treatable? If not should I expect
dizzines and hearing loss? Thank you.
Answer: Yes, they usually heal themselves, but, need to be monitored to ensure they heal completely. Dizziness usually diminishes over time. Hearing loss may or may not.
Ear Draining Problems [posted
11/19/98]
Question: I have always had problems with the tubes in my ears not draining well. I
have been prescribed Kefrex in the past to help with this problem. I called my doctor
recently regarding this problem and he prescribed a drug called Amitex pse, generic for
Entex pse. Is this a comparable drug? Will it help with my drainage problem? Is it even in
the same catagory as Kefrex? How can it help me? Thank you
Answer: Well, it might, but, people with this type of problem often need mechanical drainage, even tubes like children get. It is one of those drugs we use because there are limited options which work.
Ear Popping & TMJ [posted
10/16/98]
Question: My ears are not plugged, they are popping almost continuously. I can hear
my breath and voice in my ear very loudly. This has been happenig for 6 weeks now. Two
ENTs, a GP and a Chiropractor said I have TMJ. The Orthodontist said any TMJ is minimal. I
am taking Claritin, Cataflam, Klonipin (at night). I have have two bouts of strep throat
during this 6 week timeframe. Please,please, help. I am going crazy from the continuos
popping.
Answer: Claritin is a fine antihistamine;but, doesn't dry your secretions as much as traditional antihistamines like benadryl, chlortrimeton, etc. I would take Benadryl 50 mg every 8 hours for 4-5 days. It will cause extreme drowsiness.
Ear Problem [posted 7/17/98]
Question: I can feel my pulse(or hear it) in my left ear at times, particularly at
night in bed. it's very deep inside my ear and it sounds like blood rushing through. I am
59 year old male in fairly good health.
Answer: The carotid artery goes about 1/8th inch behind the ear drug. Consequently, one will often hear flow through the artery and this really doesn't mean anything. Usually, I get an ultrasound to rule out any narrowing (stenosis) of the artery since this should be followed/fixed depending on the severity. However, the test is usually normal.
Plugged Ears
Question: My ears have been plugged since 1994. I get vertigo if I don’t take
decongestants. I also take Beconaise nasal spray, and I am currently getting allergy
shots. Nothing will unplug my ears. I believe it is the eustation tubes. Do you think that
would help, or do you think there is anything else I could try?
Answer: You will need to see an ENT specialist to determine the flexibility and problem with your ears. Occasionally, drainage with a needle through the ear drum will help since long term secretions tend to turn to a jelly like material. Recurrent ear infections are a clear indication for tubes--regardless of age. I send several adults for tubes each year. There are few things to try after what you have done.
Itchy Ears
Question: Recently, my ears have been itching. I use cotton swabs like everyone
else (never in the canals), and wash as best I can with soap in the shower. I probably
have some compacted wax in my ear. How do I stop the itch? How can I prevent it?
Answer: The itch is probably caused by you and your cotton swabs. Your kindergarten teacher had the correct advice: Never put anything in your ears except your elbow and only wash with a washcloth. The wax is in your ears to prevent infections called otitis externa (swimmers ear) and manipulation with cotton swabs and excessive washing will cause this infection. Then as the ear is inflamed and trying to heal itself it begins to itch. (Similar to a scab that itches before it comes off). Continued irritation prolongs the healing and the itching. Stop cleaning your ears. You may need antibiotics for your ears, so if it persists see your physician. Get out of the habit of sticking anything in your ears. If you need the wax cleaned to hear let a physician or nurse do it and follow it with antibiotic drops to avoid further irritation and infection.
Ear Tubes
Question: My son age 12 now has had several ear tubes placed and now has a
peforation that has not closed in his one ear. Hearing loss is minimal in that ear. One
ENT fellow wants to patch the ear to help in the closure of the hole. My question is how
good is this patch and how long is it good for? He still gets infections in that ear and
it drains well probably due to the hole. What if we patch the,hole and he gets another
infection? Will it still drain or just blow the patch out? Is there anything better at
this time? Any help will be appreciated.
Answer: I'd surely get a second opinion and preferably from another ENT who
specializes in this type of surgery. This is a little too specialized for me to be able to
tell you the answer. I guess my bias would be to leave it alone unless it has been more
than 6 months. What are the consequences of leaving it open?
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