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The visit to the ENT went well and he explained to me what happened.
The throat infection caused the Eustachian tubes that drain the ears into the back of the nasal cavity to swell, effectively sealing them shut and causing negative pressure in the middle ear. This reduced pressure caused fluid to migrate from the tissues, and into my middle ear, basically shutting down both ears. My left ear Eustachian tube wasn't quite as blocked and allowed some fluid out to equalize pressure. The right tube was totally blocked, and the increase in pressure forced the fluid out through the path of lease resistance; ie through the ear drum.
So, he looked at my ears. Left ear: looks good with a little fluid visible. This will eventually drain away completely. The right ear drum has healed totally, leaving just a small area of weakness where the tear was. The doc used a Medical Thing to dig out all the residual dried blood and wax deposits to completely clear out my ear canal.
He recommended no further treatment, I don't need antibiotics and I can stop using the ciproxyn.
My hearing is almost back to normal. At its worst I had to turn the TV up to 85+ to hear ANYTHING. Now I can listen to TV with the volume at 25-30 and hear everything. I can hear the wind in the trees again, and birds, and music, and the distant train horns.
Which is nice.
Dr ENT doesn't bulk-bill, so the visit cost me $285. I will claim most of that back through Medicare.
The throat infection caused the Eustachian tubes that drain the ears into the back of the nasal cavity to swell, effectively sealing them shut and causing negative pressure in the middle ear. This reduced pressure caused fluid to migrate from the tissues, and into my middle ear, basically shutting down both ears. My left ear Eustachian tube wasn't quite as blocked and allowed some fluid out to equalize pressure. The right tube was totally blocked, and the increase in pressure forced the fluid out through the path of lease resistance; ie through the ear drum.
So, he looked at my ears. Left ear: looks good with a little fluid visible. This will eventually drain away completely. The right ear drum has healed totally, leaving just a small area of weakness where the tear was. The doc used a Medical Thing to dig out all the residual dried blood and wax deposits to completely clear out my ear canal.
He recommended no further treatment, I don't need antibiotics and I can stop using the ciproxyn.
My hearing is almost back to normal. At its worst I had to turn the TV up to 85+ to hear ANYTHING. Now I can listen to TV with the volume at 25-30 and hear everything. I can hear the wind in the trees again, and birds, and music, and the distant train horns.
Which is nice.
Dr ENT doesn't bulk-bill, so the visit cost me $285. I will claim most of that back through Medicare.