Eustachian tube dysfunction

[Cheshire123]

Hi, first time posting so hope I am doing this right. I have had tinnitus for around 20 yrs but would not have called myself a sufferer until the last 2 months when the volume has gone through the roof. I have symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction, also suffer with a bad neck and bad posture. Has anyone had any treatment for ETD if that's what it is? I have a referral to ENT but think I will end up going private due to the long waiting list. I don't expect to ever have silence but just to go back to how it was would be amazing for me. I have the occasional day of quiet followed by through the roof screeching again and there doesnt seem to be much rhyme or reason to it.

[Buzbee50]

I would Cherish those quiet days,,,, since my prostate opp my T is rattling my head off 24..7 with no quiet days at all sadly and for the last two days no sleep.... as far as i know ETD is fixable with some self help so i wish you all the best in getting your T down to a lower level ...

[Cheshire123 in reply to Buzbee50]

Thank you, believe me I am so grateful for those days, they are what keep me going on a bad day such as today. Sorry you are suffering so much T really is the pits!

[Marcus8498]

Hi Cheshire

Similar symptoms to me. I have had Tinnitus (T) for 3 years. I have 2 specific frequencies, one low and one high and only in my left ear. I know the roots of my T are rooted in my jaw/neck because if I go swimming (the crawl) the flexing of my neck reduces or even stops my tinnitus temporarily.

Currently to mitigate T, I usually clear my eustachian tubes regularly every day ( 4 or 5 times) by pinching my nose and blowing and I wear a posture vest to stop me slouching. The other day my T stopped completely👍.

To help me sleep, I use Bluetooth battery powered ear buds (up to 10 hour battery life - cheap on eBay for less than £10) and play masking noises, one high pitch and one low, via my mobile phone.

If you go to YouTube you can download specific frequencies. Search for the uploader called Dalesnale. Use YouTube to also identify what the frequencies of your T are so that you obtain the right ones. To download the YouTube sounds which are up to 10 hours duration, use a YouTube downloader programme so that you can download the sound quickly onto your computer. Then transfer these to your mobile. I use Abelssoft YouTube downloader ver 23.5. It is free.

To play more than one specific frequency sound at the same time you will need two different mp3 players on your phone. I use Sleep sounds and Music player. Both available on Google playstore.

For me, I need to have a flexible strategy to manage and control my T. Masking sounds enable me to do that. I can always change the type of masking noises and their volume. Being in control removes the stress and anxiety of having T. Usually I forget my T even exists. It is only at night time of quiet moments that I can become aware of it.

Cheers Marcus

[Cheshire123 in reply to Marcus8498]

Hi thank you for responding, interesting what you say about movement of the neck easing the T. I am sure sitting all day (have a desk job) exacerbates it. I will find out in a few days when I am on holiday and will be doing lots of walking. Glad you find ways of coping. I have been unaware of it for many years apart from the occasional loud day. I will be happy to just bring the volume down a tad. Its the high pitched screech which I can hear over everything that I struggle with. Hope you continue to do well

[ghlla]

Hi there,

Your experience sounds similar to mine, though I am only months into my T journey.

I suspect my T is related to poor posture, which has now caused some upper back and neck injury, I have regular pain in my upper back and neck and find lying down brings some relief. I'll hope to get that investigated further with a physio perhaps.

I've seen two ENT so far, one helped to rule out anything serious via MRI and confirm my hearing is fine. I've actually had three hearing tests in the last few months, all indicate no issues there.

Frustratingly while I suspect I have what we call ETD, so far I find that ENT doesn't do anything to confirm that. Protocol seems to be MRI, hearing test, then CBT to cope with it.

[Cheshire123 in reply to ghlla]

Hi, poor posture and neck issues do keep cropping up, my Dr said there was no connection said I had cattargh and sent me away with antihistamines and nasal spray which did nothing surprise surprise. My posture is rubbish anyway so if I can fix that it will be something. Hope things start to settle down for you