About Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Expertise I am a board-certified otolaryngologist with additional subspecialty training in otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery. This is the subspecialty of otolaryngology that involves the ear, hearing, balance organs, the facial nerve, and surgery of the skull base including surgery for acoustic neuroma and other benign and malignant tumors of the base of the skull.
Experience Medical school, residency in otolaryngology, fellowship in otology/neurotology/skull base surgery
Organizations American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery North American Skull Base Society American Neurotology Society
Publications Laryngoscope Otology and Neurotology
Education/Credentials MD Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 2001 Otolaryngology Residency, University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology, Iowa City, IA Otology/Neurotology Fellowship, House Ear Clinic, Los Angeles, CA
Expert: Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Date: 1/23/2008 Subject: Pressure
Question I have had a complete mastoidectomy in my right ear due to cholesteotoma. I had a tube which came out and now have a hole in the drum which they say is natures tube. I wear a hearing aid on that ear. Just two days ago the pressure began changing in my good ear and the sound goes up and down and I am also experiencing some double hearing. How can I alleviate the pressure in my good ear, by blowing as I hold my nose? It could be due to some allergies as I have sneezed a lot lately.
Answer Valsalva (blowing as you hold your nose) can help push air up through the Eustachian tube to the middle ear, and can help in cases where fluid behind the eardrum is starting to clear. You may want to get an audiogram now, however, to rule out a sudden nerve hearing loss. They need to be treated quickly.
