David uses the Otovent balloon to clear his ears. No Surgery Needed

David's hearing was 40db down due to fluid in the ear. This also caused repeated painful infections ( which we treated with antiboitocs). Our ENT Surgeon recommended a month of antibiotics and to use the Otovent balloon. The back pressure pushes air up the eustachian tube, allowing fluid to drain. 4 weeks later hearing is in normal range. We still get David to pop his ears daily to keep them clear. Combination of balloon and medicine has been successful. So no grommets are needed for now.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• otovent
• children
• young
• balloon
• nose
• glue
• ear
• fluid
• blocked
• ears
• eustachian
• tube
• gromments.
• clogged
• avoid
• surgery

[loven66]

I guess so. 

[loven66]

To much pressure would be dangerous. That is why you should NEVER hold a sneeze in. But when popping ears manually, you are in control so only force until you feel it is enough only. Yes, if the balloon was too stiff, the pressure could be too high, but this is not the case.

[Neudahl]

when popping your ears , is the air supposed to come out of the ear? because mine doesnt.

[loven66]

Hi Neudahl, No the air does not go out of the ear. What happens is that a very small amount of air is forced "UP" the Eustachian tube. This causes a small amount of positive pressure in the middle ear. This does 2 things:

1) It opens up the blocked tube, and

2) the pressure pushes the blocked fluid back "DOWN" the tube and drains into the nose.

I hope this infomation helps you.

[loven66]

Thanks to you all for your kind comments.

[loven66]

Update. Now 10 months later, we have passed another Melbourne winter. David did not get an ear infection.

[468chuckles]

so.... can i just use a normal balloon?

[greenhart67]

This kid is adorable(:

[lunaleigh13]

Just out of curiosity, only my left ear will pop when I try popping my ears. Any idea how to get the right one to pop?

[Stratacaster45]

@Invadurr

Im not sure if my other comments sent, but using nasal medicines are really helpful, like mucinex. My ears plugg from allergies to. Use zurtex! You should get a neti pot, i use it alot, it can help allergies, not so much colds. The best thing to pop ur ears, is to clear out your nose, that is the main reason for your ears, and the clicking in your ears, that me and you do with are jaw is pushing and releasing pressure in the eustachion tube! I have so many remedies for ears!

[Stratacaster45]

@Invadurr yeah it does start to hurt when i do it to much, and they stay plugged up alot! The best thing to do, is take alot of nasal congestion medicine, i use this thing called a neti pot, it usually helps alot, just dont over do it. Allergies also cause my ears to plug alot, but i usually wait it out until spring is over!

[Stratacaster45]

@Invadurr i have been doing it my whole life, and it does start to hurt alot, i hate when my ears plug up, its the worst thing for me, i cant enjoy life for some reason, it comes and goes, so i only have it around allergy season, and when i have a cold

[ogonga94]

I saw his head grow!

[theslaking2]

he is so cute

[Invadurr]

@Stratacaster45 Yah! When it's a cold, my ears are the nastiest coz I just feel like I really gota pop them for some head relief :(

Does it hurt if you do it too much? Like a mild sorta pain from repetition?

It's just the most annoying thing ever, it's been with me for years. Did doctors ever give you any suggestions on how to fix it? My doc just says I'm stuck...