Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 8/12/2009

Question
Hi there,

I was seeking help with my ears.

I have been having problems with my right ear for about 4+ months now. I've been to ENT's paid 250 for a single 10 min consultation and whatnot. I find when i yawn, i cant feel my ears opening if with a crunch sound then it feels like the passage is kinda open.. I can make the crunch sound to somehow by controlling my ears. When i yawn they crackle and crunch.. kind of the same sound but a crunch is a good way of depicting the sound. Ive had my hears looked at it, all pink and healthy and no wax.
I have my feelings its something with the tubes? ive taken the nasal steroid with no improvement.

If it a tube problem, can these take months if not years to correct ?

Oh and when i play sport, they dont crackle cause my ears somehow feel all blocked up when i sweet and doing gym they dont crackle. I also find if yawn as WIDE as i can, then quikly swallow after there is no crackle sound as compered to swallowing b4 doing a full blown yawn.

Weird =/

Thanks alot Harriot :)!

Answer
Hi Bill,
It certainly does sound that your problems could be related to a Eustachian tube dysfunction, but without proper testing, it would be hard to say definitively.  Did you have a complete audiological and middle ear evaluation when you were examined by the ENT? One cannot tell if there is an ETD just by looking at the ears.  

If you do have an ETD, the prognosis depends upon the cause. For example, if the cause is chronic sinus problems, then treating the sinus problems will alleviate the ETD.  If it is due to temporomandibular joint disorder, then consulting a dentist and wearing a night brace may help.  So, yes, it can sometimes take a long time for resolution of an ETD.

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