Ear congestion and distorted hearing - possibly not barotrauma

[spax]

I read about in various threads about similar problems resulting from diving in the middle ear however none quite match my symptoms (unless I misunderstood?).

Since May 2011 nearly a year I have been getting a congested feeling in my ear that results in pulsating and hearing distortion of particular frequencies (some whistling, clanking, voice etc). This happens after coffee, alcohol, physical exertion, a lot of food and more often recently than before, nearly every day.

The ENT doc says its something incurable in the Eustachian Tube, says I should live with it.... Live with it?!!

May last year I was diving and equalised pressure badly resulting in a pop that i suspect tore my ear drum slightly (whistling in the ear in airplane de-pressurising), that healed but I got left with this sensation, which is not getting better

Anyone know better?

Many thanks

 

[Bubbletrubble]

If you don't accept what your ENT said, seek out a second opinion from another ENT.

 

[doctormike]

If you don't accept what your ENT said, seek out a second opinion from another ENT.

Yup, that might be a good idea. If you want to PM me with your location, I might be able to give you a local referral. Ear things like this are not usually something that you can diagnose accurately over the Internet, no substitute for a good examination and audiogram (hearing test).

Mike

 

[cam_snapper]

May or may not be of any use, but I had the exact same symptoms and triggers, spoke with a diving doctor (not actually a dive doctor, mind) who took a look in my ears and said basically the same thing as you were advised. That was after a few months of suffering those weird "squelchy" sort of symptoms. That was about four months ago, and despite a fair bit of diving since I've had no problem and those symptoms seem to have gone away entirely.

 

[spax]

That was about four months ago, and despite a fair bit of diving since I've had no problem and those symptoms seem to have gone away entirely.

yes I am seeking another opinion, hearing test came out fine unaffected,
Did it just go away - any massage maybe or a particular depressurizing technique?
thanks