Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 7/22/2009

Question
Hi. I'm male and 19 yrs of age. Last year one night, I felt movement in my left ear while I was sleeping. I got the feeling of having my ear underwater. I couldn't hear 100% from that ear. After weight lifting at school, my left ear would pop and I wouldn't be able to hear from it well and felt it was underwater. This was strange because whenever I did weight lifting, this never happened, and all of a sudden it started happening. I thought the problem was ear wax. My doctor checked and found no earwax and said it could be allergies and could be affecting the ear fluid. What I thought was weird is that I never had this problem before. He told me to practice holding my breath and blow outwards. When i tried this, my left ear would pop again, and felt as if my left ear was underwater again and this didn't help. It felt as if it made it worse. The problem is that it's still there and I don't want to lose my hearing and I don't know what the problem is and how it can be solved. I would really appreciate it if you can give me possibilities of what it could be and offer solutions as well. Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi Hassan,
Your symptoms suggest that you may have a Eustachian Tube dysfunction.  The ET runs from the middle ear to your nasal cavity and is responsible for maintaining normal pressure in the middle ear.  If this tube malfunctions, then you get that cloggy feeling...eventually, if the tube doesn't open, then you can get fluid buildup in the middle ear.  Yes, it is possible that the ET malfunctions due to underlying allergies, or there may be something else.  Have you consulted an ear specialist (ENT) and had your hearing tested?  That would be my recommendation.  The ENT can do the necessary evaluations to determine if it is your ET and can then prescribe the proper medication to help it function better.  An ENT can also test you for underlying allergies.  In the meantime, here is a website that may give you more insight: http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/symptoms/etdysfunction.htm

Hope this helps.
Dr. Harriet. B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology