When I was a young child, we often traveled by car on summer trips north to see my grandparents. When we drove through the mountains, I learned how to clear my ears by holding my nose and blowing out. It was great fun to hear that pop.
Several month ago when we flew to California, upon the plane’s descent I tried the old trick to clear my ears to no avail. It was then that I realized my eustachian tubes were blocked. There was no pain or discomfort, just a feeling that there was some roadblock between my nose and my ears. Perhaps it is my imagination or perhaps not that my hearing ability has diminished somewhat.
Last month I decided to consult an ENT doctor about this problem. He sent me home with a nasal inhaler and an Rx for Benzonatate, an antitussive. He said that if these didn’t work, the next step was a course of steroids. If those didn’t unplug my ears, the last resort would be ear tubes like the ones my son had at age 2.
I wasn’t too thrilled about any of these remedies. I admit to taking the initial drugs only now and then, but not noticing one bit of change. And I quickly determined I didn’t want anything to do with steroids or ear tubes.
Just yesterday I decided to Google “holistic cures for blocked eustachian tubes” and got some other ideas of things to try, like aromatherapy. A friend even suggested that certain yoga poses, like shoulder stand, might help to clear my blocked tubes.
But perhaps I should first consider why my eustachian tubes are blocked. Maybe this is just one more lingering side-effect of the radioactive iodine treatment I had years ago following the removal of my malignant thyroid. Perhaps it is a normal symptom of aging. It could even be caused by allergies.
Meanwhile it might be good to consult another medical professional who is willing to look at more natural remedies to my problem. I just need to figure out how to find such a person. Any ideas?