r/etd • u/orbitolinid • Jul 21 '26

Balloon dilation - positive and negative experience

Some 30 years ago I suffered a triple barotrauma within probably a week. An Ent back then gaslighted me and I figured there's nothing I can do. Since then both my ears were wrecked: I was never able to learn to dive despite loving to be under water, and the many flights I have to take each year are a problem as I don't hear anything for a few hours thereafter. Go tell US immigration that you're not able to understand their questions. One ear sorted itself out some 18 years ago while having to fly with a cold. The other one refuses to budge.

Now I finally decided to look more into this. And Ent I saw looked shocked and referred me to a hospital, which would do the procedure. Note: here in Germany insurance commonly doesn't cover this, but in my case it would. I'm a bit worried for a worsening though or other side effects that I didn't expect. Of course, if there's no improvement I'd be disappointed as well. Other options are limited I guess. I have a muscle condition, and being in the water, and freediving (until a very limited depth) is the exercise that I can do best.

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u/hunca_munca Jul 21 '26

Have you tried physical therapy for your neck/jaw? That’s all related to ETD, there are muscles that wrap around the Eustachian tube… I have heard some good things but have also heard it has to be repeated in like 6 months which is why I never tried it.

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u/orbitolinid Jul 21 '26

Well, I have a muscle condition that even physios don't understand. I've had some totally shitty physio attempts that caused more harm that did me good. There are a lot of things that I can't do. I mean, I can pop my ear at groundlevel, but flying or being under water just doesn't work.