This started a few weeks ago and seems to be growing worse; I can hear myself breathe in both ears today. I can hear my heartbeat, breathing all the time and when I speak the sound is very loud to me.
Proposed treatment:
Update:
I thought it started after scuba diving last month, then six takeoffs and landings, then a cold. But now I feel it may be related to weight loss in my case.
EXAMPLE IA 36-year-old female had a history of autophony which occurred throughout the day several days a week, especially during and after exercise. The patient was treated with nose drops comprising an aqueous solution of 0.5% hydrochloric acid, 1.0% chlorobutanol and 1.0% benzyl alcohol, with the solution having a pH of 1. Three drops of the solution were sniffed into the nostril on the side of the abnormal Eustachian tube. The drops were taken approximately two hours after arising from sleep, and repeated again six hours later. Excellent results were achieved with the patulous Eustachian tube syndrome completely relieved, and no adverse side effects were noted. The treatment was intermittently required approximately every two months.
Composition and method for treatment of patulous eustachian tube syndrome and atrophic rhinitis - US Patent 5470587 Description
Update:
Hyperpatent Eustachian tube disorders are more common than has previously been recognized. The patient complaining of a “plugged ear” should be questioned about autophony and amphoric sounds that are relieved by lying down.
A New Medication to Control Patulous Eustachian Tube Disorders Article - Ear Foundation Santa Barbara
I thought it started after scuba diving last month, then six takeoffs and landings, then a cold. But now I feel it may be related to weight loss in my case.
This is the article I referred to:
Patulous Eustachian tube - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "
Diagnosis
Upon examination of a suspected case of patulous Eustachian tube, a doctor can directly view the tympanic membrane with a light and observe that it vibrates with every breath taken by the patient."
Cause:The exact causes may vary depending on the person. Weight loss is a commonly cited cause of the disorder due to the nature of the Eustachian tube itself. Fatty tissues hold the tube closed most of the time in healthy individuals. When circumstances cause overall body fat to diminish, the tissue surrounding the Eustachian tube shrinks and this function is disrupted.[2]
TreatmentDepending on the underlying cause of the disorder, the individual may need to remove caffeine from their diet, reduce exercise, or gain weight.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/858909-overview#a0199
Patulous Eustachian Tube
Patulous Eustachian Tube
Diagnosis: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/858909-overview#a0112
Treatment: Patulous Eustachian Tube
Patulous Eustachian Tube Treatment & Management
Patulous Eustachian Tube Treatment & Management
Patulous Eustachian Tube
Patulous Eustachian Tube
Diagnosis: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/858909-overview#a0112
Treatment: Patulous Eustachian Tube
Patulous Eustachian Tube Treatment & Management
Medical Therapy
Patients with a patulous eustachian tube who are pregnant and those with mild symptoms (most patients) need informative reassurance alone. Patients who have symptoms during pregnancy are symptom-free after delivery.
Advise patients to do the following:
- Increase or regain lost weight
- Avoid diuretics
- Recline or lower head when symptoms occur
Topical administration (nasal preparation) with anticholinergics may be effective for some patients.
Estrogen (Premarin) nasal drops (25 mg in 30 mL normal saline, 3 gtt tid) or oral administration of saturated solution of potassium iodide (10 gtt in glass of fruit juice tid) has been used to induce swelling of the eustachian tube opening.
Nasal medicatio
n containing diluted hydrochloric acid, chlorobutanol, and benzyl alcohol has been demonstrated to be effective in some patients. This has been reported to be well tolerated with little or no adverse effects. Approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pending.
Future and Controversies
A discussion of the merits of different treatments is restricted by insufficient numbers and by lack of adequate long-term follow-up data to allow valid conclusions to be drawn. Very little basic research has been performed to investigate mechanisms responsible for normal eustachian tube function. Until more basic research and properly conducted trials are performed, this situation is likely to remain.
