Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 9/2/2009

Question
Hi
I have had hearing problems since the age of 6 (Over 30 years) and have come to live with it.  I have been drained, plugged all the usual things.
I havent been to ENT for a couple of years, the last treatment was sinus drops, hanging head upside down to administer.

This last week I have had really bad stuffy cold syptoms, nothing I am not used to, my nose only usually dries up 3 months of the year.
Lay in bed the other night, breathing through my mouth my hearing suddenly increased in volume ... like when you sneeze and have complete clarity for a few moments.
It stayed like this until I swallowed, then went back to its usual dullness.
It did this again last night whilst watching TV.  I realised just how loud I talked, I could hear the hissing of the TV my other half keeps complaining about... again it was like this whilst I breathed through my mouth and didnt swallow.   Unfortunately I couldnt keep this up.
What is it?
When I swallow I keep hearing crackling?
Can I have sinus vacuumed out?

Back to my 2nd box of kleenex for today.

Thanks


Answer
Hi Tyrone,
It sounds as if you have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. This can usually be treated by prescription steroids that you can get from an ENT. It can be caused by sinus problems which cause the tube to swell up and cause the symptoms that you have described.

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