Trouble Hearing

frmoose · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:02 pm Post subject: Trouble Hearing

I wasn't really sure where I should post this so I just kind of picked a place.

My brother is a trombone player and is currently working on a MM in performance. He has had some sinus trouble and his ears got clogged up. He went to and ear/nose/throat specialist and was told that there was some drainage (liquid or something similar) stuck in his eustachian tubes. The specialist also told him there there is nothing they can do about it but let them drain naturally.

Does anyone have any experience with this and maybe how to make it better? He's super bummed out about not being able to hear others or himself properly, especially because his playing is kind of suffering as a result.

lmaraya · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:57 am Post subject:

Drinking plenty of water maybe?
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cheiden · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:11 am Post subject:

I assume that the prognosis is that the condition is not chronic and that it will clear on it's own in time. I have to believe that if it doesn't resolve that they will offer additional options.

I know it's not exactly the same but two of my kids had to have "tubes" placed in their eardrums to allow them to drain. Without them they both suffered chronic ear infections and fluid build up that also adversely affected their hearing.
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robertgrier · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:14 pm Post subject:

Does the doctor know that he played bone? when the tubes are clogged up you need to stop playing until they are clear. Otherwise they won't drain properly.
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frmoose · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:23 pm Post subject:

Yeah, his teacher already told him to lay off the horn until this clears up.

MiloTheGreat · Veteran Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 106

I had exactly the same...

I had tonsillitis, and the swelling caused the auditory tube to close, thus not letting pressure, and fluid build up behind the ear drum.

Nasty.

My doctor only offered me "drink orange juice" which actually made it worse. The acid inflamed it and it didn't help.

What helped was Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (Ibuprofen), and rest. Then main issue is when you play, and I tried, when the throat opens, under pressure and to get a good tone, it really hurts.

All in all I had about three weeks off playing, and the only time I resorted to pencil exercises.

Its an incredibly frustrating time, the hearing will return slowly over a period of about 3 days, allowing it all to drain.

For all those that want to know what its like, put some cotton wool in both ear and play, you only hear the inner buzz, no matter how hard you play.

Look after yourself, and rest up.

royjohn · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:06 am Post subject:

MilotheGreat wrote:

Capt.Kirk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 5072

Depends on if their is inflammation. I have to use a nasal spray when this happens. No one use's Eustachian tube any more according to my Anatomy and Physiology Prof. except dinosaurs she often corrected me on this.

Allergy pills if he has seasonal allergies will help.

Drinking lots of fluids so the drainage is thinner helps.

Zink, B Vitamins and lots of Ester-C helps.

Avoiding dairy helps a lot of people as it tends to make mucus thicker in a lot of people and inflames allergies in a lot of people.

Finally good old asprin to bring down general inflammation in the body. I have been plagued by ear issues since middle school. I normally have to take 3-4 325mg asprin at a time 2-3 times a day and usualy after 3 days of that the inflammation will start to let up and the combo of fluids, vitamins,nasal spray etc......does it's job and I can stop the Asprin. I then just keep taking the nasal spray, fluids and vitamins until I have no pain. This happens to me 3 times a years. If after 3 days I do not start to get relief I normally have to go see my DOctory and get on antibiotics.
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John Mohan · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:13 pm Post subject:

Your brother should get another opinion!!!!!! And then another after that if the first one isn't helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!