Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 8/17/2009

Question
Three months ago I went to visit a friend who had a cat.  I was allergic to the cat and developed much congestion and sneezing.  On my flight home my ear was in such sharp pain that I didn't think I'd make it.  I literally almost started crying.  Upon landing it took a few days for my ears to equalize though the pain went away fairly quickly.

Since then (3 months) the pain has vacillated between dull and sharp.  I did see a doctor who told me it seemed in the ear (left) I had some minor scarring but saw no sign of infection.  Due to some things she saw in my throat and nasal passage ways she suggested that I had allergies and that I should take Claritin or Zantac.  It seemed logical as I feel some slight swelling in my bronchial passage way.  The pain subsided for the two weeks I took it but once I stopped the sharp pain has come back even though there are no new cats around.  My girlfriend tells me she can see that my ear canal is swollen on the left side relative to the right.

When I was younger I have had a tendency to get ear infections.  I don't like the idea of having to take drugs such as claritin my whole life but want this pain to go away.  If I was only dealing with some congestion I could manage my persistent allergies but this ear pain becomes too much at times. Is there anything I can do and if I go see a ENT specialist is there anything I should say if I just get turned away with them saying just take drugs?

Also will the scarring in my ear cause ear lose over time or can this heal? I don't want to cause irreparable damage.

I appreciate the help,

Sincerely,
In Pain (Kevin)

Answer
Hi Kevin,
Were you evaluated by an ear specialist?  An regular internist does not have the capability of doing a full otological evaluation.  It is very possible that you are suffering from a bout of Eustachian tube dysfunction that was brought about by the initial allergic reaction.  If this is the case, the usual treatment is nasal steroids.  However, you must remember that this is just a temporary fix.  If you do have ETD and the underlying cause is your allergies, you must treat the allergies for long lasting relief.

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