Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 2/5/2009

Question
I have been to 2 ENT one says I have TMD ( I had an MRI to confirm TMD) and the other not sure, gave me a nasal spray, yet said there is no fluid in my ear. My symptoms are ( Left ear) extreme ear pressure/fullnes hear myself breath through my ear and when I talk I feel like my voice is amplifed that it hurts to talk. I feel like my head is under water. I have tried wearing a mouth splint...no changes except less pain in the jaw. I was born with high frequency nerve deafness, I am 56 years old and hearing has become so difficult with this ear pressure. I can't even wear an hearing aid...the odd thing is evey morning when I wake up while laying in bed there is no pressure and when I talk it's normal, yet with in minutes, standing up the popping starts and my ear closed and gets worse as the day goes on. I am at wits end, any thoughts?

Answer
Hi Trudy,
Your symptoms are very consistent with Eustachian tube dysfunction.  From the description of your voice, it sounds as if yours may be chronically open rather than closed.  That would explain why the spray didn't work and there is no fluid.  Here is a good site that will explain this:  http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/symptoms/etdysfunction.htm  There are several treatment options available for this.  I think you need to return to your ENT and discuss this possibility.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology