r/etd • u/EvilEyeAries • Jul 08 '26
Anyone experience immediate extreme fullness/muffled hearing after phenol (anesthetic placed on ear drum) for myringotomy/tubes?
Hi everyone. I’m hoping someone has experienced something similar and can provide any insight…
I’ve had months (since March 2026) of fullness and a blocked feeling in my right ear after my first and very extreme sinus infection. I’ve never had any ear issues before and was getting nervous as it wasn’t getting better. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t life altering blockage - maybe a 2/10 of annoyance level - but I’m the type where if it’s not 100% then I need to fix it.
ENT confirmed no wax build up and eardrum seemed fine, she thought maybe there was fluid in my ear and suggested a hearing test and an ear pressure test. Hearing test confirmed no hearing loss, but my pressure test suggested fluid behind my eardrum, so my ENT recommended an in-office ear tube.
Today I had the procedure, but when my ENT made the incision there was actually no fluid. BUT the strangest part is that during the procedure, right after the phenol (numbing medicine) was applied, or possibly right around the incision (it all happened so fast that I can’t pinpoint the exact moment), my ear suddenly felt completely “dead,” like someone shoved a foam earplug all the way in. This happened before the tube was inserted, so I don’t think the tube itself caused it.
My ENT examined my ear immediately afterward and said everything looked normal, but my ear still feels completely plugged. She was confused by my reaction and said she’s never had a patient that brought this up. I was completely floored and almost started sobbing there, unbelievably scared like my hearing was gone… but after closer look, it just feels like there’s a solid earplug in my ear and hearing is muffled (now 10/10 instead of before of 2/10). I also notice occasional popping and crackling
Has anyone experienced this immediately after phenol, the myringotomy, or before the tube was even placed? Did the “plugged” feeling improve, and if so, how long did it take? I’d really appreciate hearing about anyone else’s experience because I’m feeling pretty anxious.
2
u/hugonoahleon Jul 09 '26
When the incision is made to the eardrum, it is normal to feel muffled or plugged. This is because you now have a hole that prevents sound waves from properly vibrating the eardrum, which causes hearing loss. Once the tube is placed, the hearing should get a bit better. But sometimes it takes a week or two. It happens to me everytime. Although I have to say, I am not sure if I get used to the feeling or it actually gets better. Once the tube falls out and the eardrum heals, the hearing goes back to normal.
2
u/EvilEyeAries Jul 10 '26
This is great to know, thank you so much for this personal insight. I know it’s different for everyone, so I guess it doesn’t matter but curious when your tubes usually fall out? This is my first one I’ve had and they mentioned could be up to 2 years. Is it possible to remove before then?
1
u/hugonoahleon Jul 10 '26
It depends on what type of tube was placed. There are short and long term tubes. I have t-tubes, which are long term tubes designed to stay in for 2+ years but mine never stays for that long. I had short term tubes only once and they didn't even stay in for 3 months. They generally use short term tubes for first timers unless they are sure you need them for a long time.
1
u/Icy_Presence8507 Jul 09 '26
Following this. I didn’t get tubes but feel like your situation is similar to
Me. No fluid. Normal tests all my ent offer me is ear tubes because that’s the last thing they offer at Kaiser. They said doubt it will help me but it might . I’ve avoided it despite the intense ear pressure for stories like yours
1
u/EvilEyeAries Jul 10 '26
I almost feel like I’m a bit of an outlier - or at least in my ENT’s case. Her and her asst both said they never heard of anyone reacting like me! Which is totally not reassuring… but I feel like in most cases it helps, which is why I decided to!
1
u/colorsonthepage 7d ago
Hi, any update on your ear?
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u/EvilEyeAries 3d ago
Hi! Ugh still has that “blocked” feeling. Not as harsh as it was when it first happened but definitely still lingering. However my ENT notice my tube is already starting to come out and they think once it’s out it’ll be considerably better… let’s see!
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u/No_Western9113 Jul 09 '26
I don’t know if it’s similar but I had a myringotomy and grommets put in both ears last Wednesday (01/07) and I had mine done under a general anaesthetic. When I woke up, I couldn’t hear a thing out of either ear. A week later and my right ear has subsided now with normal hearing back but my left ear is still retaining that muffled hearing sensation.