I've been dealing with fluid in my ear and poor hearing (with a caved in eardrum) since last July. Visited various ENTs with different solutions. Steroid packs, nasal steroid sprays, etc. Those solutions only provided temporary relief.
The last ENT I went to suggested ear tubes (as the others did but I was unsure about the process), and had them placed on June 18th.
The plus is that I no longer feel the fluid sloshing around.
Unfortunately, like I said, I still have ringing and muffled hearing, as well as popping when I open and close my mouth or swallow sometimes.
I explained this to the Dr. when I saw her for my post-op earlier this past week and she ordered a hearing test for next month.
Is what I am experiencing the normal part of the healing process for tubes, or should I have some improvement in hearing at this point?
Is there any other solutions that I should as my doctor about to try? I've responded well to steroid packs (Medrol) in the past, but only lasted temporarily. I've read about long term tapered Predisone treatment as a solution for long term ETD like I've had.
Any help would be appreciated! I really did not want the tubes put in b/c of the possible negative side effects or issues on record, but I am at the point I need permanent relief after dealing with this for a year.