Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 10/28/2008

Question
Dear Doctor,
For the last 20 years or so I've had ringing in my right ear and was told by an ENT (20 yrs ago) that nothing could be done...so I've learned to live with it.  But the last three years or so, when I start having mild allergy symptoms,  starting mid August thru November will always make my left ear become plugged with ringing.  This is very uncomfortable and annoying since I'm not use to having two ears ringing!  Also a few times a year I'll experience vertigo (lying in bed positional, bending over, etc.) and/or an off-balance feeling.  Since these episodes don't last over 2 to 4 weeks, I haven't been worried.  Is there something I could take to help the plugged ear open as soon as possible?  I take medication for mild blood pressure which keeps it around 120/62 so I'm not sure if decongestants would be okay to take.  I've tried the inhale-close nose and mouth-blow out procedure with no avail.  I'm not sure if that really has been a wise thing to do.  I haven't seen an ENT in the last 20 years because I seem to always read that nothing can be done with ringing ears so I haven't been to an ear specialist because of that.
Thank you!

Answer
Hi Jackie,
A LOT has changed in 20 years; therefore, the first thing you must do is consult an ENT and get a thorough evaluation by an audiologist.  The audiologist should also do a tinnitus evaluation.  Next, you can check out these websites for more information: The American Tinnitus Association: www.ata.org, and Neuromonics: www.neuromonics.com.  The latter is a new treatment that has shown quite a good success rate.  For the stuffiness, I am leery to recommend much because of your HPB, but there is nasal saline spray that may be helpful (check with your doctor) and there is also something known as the Ear Popper which is very good: www.earpopper.com.  For the dizziness, this too may be related to your allergies and/or HBP.  But, because it happens when you change positions, it may also be something called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).  Here is information on this:  http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/bppv/bppv.html  Again, your ENT should be able to check for this.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology