Hi I'm new.

[Stephen1234]

I really need some advise and what peolle think i should do. This is a little bit of a story coming up.

Back in late September/ early October I was watching TV in the living room. Without warning I felt a sharp crack occur in my right ear and a high pitch ringing start. Over the next 3 days the ringing travelled to my left ear as well.

Over the next 5 months I've had a variety of other symptoms, this includes multiple long lasting infections and inflammation. Watery discharge from both ears, one bad enough to create a perforated eardrum.

Feeling of fullness in the ears as well as high pressure. Pain and a clicking/grinding/crunching noise whenever I hear sounds (it varies on a daily basis) such as people talking, stirring tea, flicking a light switch. (This clicking noise can hurt)

I also cannot wear headphones of any type because a pressure rapidly builds and doesn't go away for hours. Similarly I cannot use things like otomize spray because the fluid gets trapped for hours as well leaving my head feeling stiff and making a rubbery sound when moving.

I wake up with a thick foul tasting white substance in my mouth. Lastly I get occasional bouts of dizziness.

I had thought it was eustachian tube dysfunction, two doctors I spoke to believed it was as well but I recently saw an ENT who tested my frequency response, which came back fine so I can hear fine.

They also tested my eardrum response which also came back fine, so no fluid behind the eardrum apparently.

The ENT said it's likely the aftermath of an infection in the inner ear which is left certain nerves and my eustachian tubes sensitive. But also he said that my symptoms could go on for months or even years possibly never going away.

This seems like a wishy-washy response especially considering he told me to come back in 3 to 6 months if there's no improvement.

Personally I don't understand how I can have all the symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction and two doctors believed I had the condition. For an ENT to then get me to press a button a few times and stick up rubber rod gently in my ear, to then say it's definitely not tube dysfunction and it's just something I have to maybe live for the rest of my life.

[Boss1]

Hi Stephen, I have had a story that overlaps a little with yours. Is your balance effected? Muffled head and weird sounds? Is it worse going up hill or under pressure? I'm not sure what part of the uk you are in (or if uk!) but you must investigate : Dr Dasgupta in Sheffield. He is private but look at Claremont Hospital there. On the NHS is Dr Osei-Lah in Portsmouth, Queen Alexander Hospital (both wonderful men who trained together) they specialise in the ear and balance issues (between ENT and Neurology) At least speak to their secretaries. I have been examined by both these doctors and they seem to know more about the ear than anyone! They are also truly interested and kind men! Good luck.

[Stephen1234 in reply to Boss1]

Occasionally my balance is been off for no reason and my ears pop more easily when going up and down hills than they used to.

Did they solve your problemor is it still ongoing?

[Foxymum]

I have very similar which stayed after a virus in march 2016! I too have all the symptoms of Eustachain tube blockage although 2 trips to ENY says I don't and the other day my Gp said I may have a bent tube lol well that helps doesn't it

I've had the tinnitus from what I can Recognise since August and I've lately had a slight improvement but when I blow my nose my ears block and unblock so surely it's all to do with my ears!

So depressing I really feel for you

[Brownies in reply to Foxymum]

I am the same tinnitus with muffled pressure in my ears and head. Started post op in January. When I blow my nose my ears react in the same way. Have you had any improvement??

[Foxymum in reply to Brownies]

No improvement no tinnitus is actually worse I also now have a tone in my head 24 hours a day as well

[Brownies in reply to Foxymum]

Oh dear, thanks anyway