Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Ok, I have a symptom that I've never heard mentioned here and that my orthodontist says he's only read about in the text books. When I talk my hearing goes in and out, like what happens when you change altitudes and your ears " pop " . It's done this for years and my regular doctor told me to take stuff for my sinuses but after this jaw problem came up we (the doctor's and I) realized that it was probably caused by pressure and swelling (from my jaw)in my inner ear. I injured my right jaw (same side that I have the hearing problem on) when I was eight and believe that it is connected to all of the problems that I'm having now. In addition, I've always had trouble getting dental work on that side because my nerves aren't where they're supposed to be and dentists can't seem to find them when they're giving me the novacaine. I've read on this website that injuries to the jaw when you're still growing can effect the growth of the jaw, is that true? I have a 10mm overbite and a crossbite and am not in any pain but have always hated my teeth. I'm one of those people who are so unhappy with their smile that I hardly ever smile in pictures and have been told that I look gloomy all of the time because of the way my mouth appears when I close it. Amazingly I'll be 42 next week and only just found out recently why my mouth has always felt so awkward. The good news is that I'm hoping that because of the above mentioned problems that my insurance will more likely approve the surgery. I haven't seen an oral surgeon yet because there aren't any in my area and will have to travel two hours to see one that accepts my insurance. Has anyone used or heard of Newton Gordon at UC San Francisco? He's the Chief of Dentistry there and sounds like he really knows what he's doing. Thanks for your advice! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 29, 2004 Report Share Posted February 29, 2004 I believe the condition you are describing is medically termed a patulous Eustachian tube. I get it temporarily sometimes after strenuous exercise. One (or both I suppose is possible) of your Eustachian tubes stays open, which allows air passage from the throat to the middle ear. This is supposed to happen only for short moments, when the air pressure in the middle ear is different from the air pressure around you (like what happens when you change altitude), and actions like yawning, swallowing, etc. trigger some muscle that helps this to occur, which leads to air pressure equalization. When you have a patulous Eustachian tube, because the air passage from your throat to the middle ear is open, it leads to annoying things such as hearing yourself breathe as the eardrum is pulled and pushed with each breath, and your speech sounds very strange as the eardrum is vibrating from sound waves travelling in the air through your Eustachian tube. My symptoms do not last very long at all, so I've never bothered to find a remedy, and as long as it is not chronic, I do not believe it to be a health risk (it's just very annoying sometimes). Hope this helps! - Marcus > Ok, I have a symptom that I've never heard mentioned here and that my > orthodontist says he's only read about in the text books. When I > talk my hearing goes in and out, like what happens when you change > altitudes and your ears " pop " . It's done this for years and my > regular doctor told me to take stuff for my sinuses but after this > jaw problem came up we (the doctor's and I) realized that it was > probably caused by pressure and swelling (from my jaw)in my inner ear. > > I injured my right jaw (same side that I have the hearing problem on) > when I was eight and believe that it is connected to all of the > problems that I'm having now. In addition, I've always had trouble > getting dental work on that side because my nerves aren't where > they're supposed to be and dentists can't seem to find them when > they're giving me the novacaine. I've read on this website that > injuries to the jaw when you're still growing can effect the growth > of the jaw, is that true? > > I have a 10mm overbite and a crossbite and am not in any pain but > have always hated my teeth. I'm one of those people who are so > unhappy with their smile that I hardly ever smile in pictures and > have been told that I look gloomy all of the time because of the way > my mouth appears when I close it. Amazingly I'll be 42 next week and > only just found out recently why my mouth has always felt so awkward. > > The good news is that I'm hoping that because of the above mentioned > problems that my insurance will more likely approve the surgery. I > haven't seen an oral surgeon yet because there aren't any in my area > and will have to travel two hours to see one that accepts my > insurance. Has anyone used or heard of Newton Gordon at UC San > Francisco? He's the Chief of Dentistry there and sounds like he > really knows what he's doing. > > Thanks for your advice! > > Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 , The buzz you hear is probably tinnitus. In our files, we have some information to help lower the impact of tinnitus which can worsen and many times is the first hint of a hearing loss. I'm going to send you a few sites which will give you an idea if you need to see an ENT for further testing but please, if you do find that your hearing is declining, go to a qualified ENT and not a place like Miracle Ear who will fit you with an expensive hearing aid whether you need one or not. Most important here is that if you have declining hearing, you really should be fitted with an aid. http://www.freehearingtest.com/test.shtml http://www.healthyhearing.com/hearingtest/starttest.asp?id=16&x1= http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/1589.asp I'm also going to give you a link to information on tinnitus just so you can read about it. I have roaring tinnitus 24/7. http://www.ata.org/ Alice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 , The buzz you hear is probably tinnitus. In our files, we have some information to help lower the impact of tinnitus which can worsen and many times is the first hint of a hearing loss. I'm going to send you a few sites which will give you an idea if you need to see an ENT for further testing but please, if you do find that your hearing is declining, go to a qualified ENT and not a place like Miracle Ear who will fit you with an expensive hearing aid whether you need one or not. Most important here is that if you have declining hearing, you really should be fitted with an aid. http://www.freehearingtest.com/test.shtml http://www.healthyhearing.com/hearingtest/starttest.asp?id=16&x1= http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/1589.asp I'm also going to give you a link to information on tinnitus just so you can read about it. I have roaring tinnitus 24/7. http://www.ata.org/ Alice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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