I can hear my breathing in my ear. Do you think it is a patulous eustachian tube?

Question

Hi doctor,

I can hear my breathing in my ear. I think it might be a patulous eustachian tube. I tried some nasal drops, but they did not help that much. But when I sit and sleep, everything becomes normal. I can hear my voice in my ears. I am assuming it is a patulous eustachian tube. When I sit or sleep, everything becomes normal. I have been experiencing it for years now. I consulted a doctor. He gave me a nasal drop. But I see no improvement.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. First, we must determine whether the cause is a patulous eustachian tube. Hearing one's breath sounds, heartbeat, and voice can be in a few conditions like dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal, vestibulocochlear fistula labyrinth, or patulous eustachian tube. There are multiple treatment options if it is a patulous eustachian tube. It can be evaluated with the following tests: 1. Tympanometry. 2. Nasal Audiometry. 3. Sonotubometry. 4. CT Scan (computed tomography). As the eustachian tube remains open all the time, if patulous, while in normal, it occasionally opens to equalize pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane. Maneuvers, medications, or procedures are directed to reduce the opening of the eustachian tube. First, you must try conservative measures like keeping good hydration and avoiding stimulants like caffeine. Keeping the head between the knees helps. Inhaling with a closed mouth helps but should not be done forcefully and frequently. Saline nasal drops can be used. If these do not help, we can resort to surgical procedures like: 1. Eustachian tube plugging. 2. Autologous tissue plug. 3. Eustachian tube injection. 4. Cautery. 5. Tympanostomy.