The EarPopper Machine?

Has anyone tried a product called The EarPopper. It is supposed to help clear ear fluid and help ears pop. You put the machine up your nose and it produces a suction/air which helps clear ears. I don't know if it is safe.

https://www.amazon.com/EarPopper-Home-Version-Summit-Medical/dp/B01MU03MER/

 

Hi all, well I bought one a couple of years ago.

Not cheap. What do I think, difficult to say. It gives you the same effect of holding your nose and blowing, you know that popping stuff.

It did not help me but that doesn't mean it wouldn't help you.

I believe my Eust. Tube issues come from TMJ problems so it would be ineffective for me.

 

hmmm... sounds scarey!

 

How so? Do you think it can injure ears? I belive it is actually used in the nosenot in the ear directly.

 

I just got an EarPopper today. Seems to work well and seems my tinnitus is down also. They would work great on an airplane along with EarPlanes and decongestants....maybe a little overkill.

 

Yes and very expensive for a product that will not cure tinnitus.. Just another expensive product aimed at Tinnitus sufferers who are desperate for help..

 

It is actually for Eustachian tube dysfunction and not tinnitus, but if you have ETD contributing to your tinnitus, it is of some value I believe. My left Eustachian tube tends to plug up, especially on airplanes descending. Made by Summit Medical in Minnesota (my home state).

EarPopper

 

Hey @just1morething ...
That's a very interesting link, thanks... Sometimes tinnitus can become exacerbated by ETD and that particular device I'm pretty sure would be of value... We need something like that for tinnitus... So simple really...

 

Article I found today on ETD & Tinnitus:

At this point, there are two main tinnitus/Eustachian abnormalities that can occur here:

1. If the Eustachian tube stays closed, as during inhalant allergy, head cold, or middle ear infection, the oxygen trapped in the middle ear cavity is soon absorbed into the mucosa, creating a vacuum. The ensuring vacuum causes the cavity to fill with mucous. If uninterrupted, it will continue to do so until the pressure can cause tympanic membrane perforation. It is that in-between state that presents varying types of possible objective tinnitus: roaring, buzzing, humming, heartbeat, and in some cases, spasm of the tensor tympani and/or venous hum (when the pressure on vascular structures and surrounding tissues become too great). All of this, of course, can be ascertained through tympanometry, otoscopy, and other diagnostic measures.
   
   
2. If the Eustachian stays open (Patulous) as from physical abnormality, one will likely experience another type of objective tinnitus: described as an ocean roar or hollow effect, like a sea shell. In some cases, other palatal and middle ear structures may be involved, bringing even more complex descriptions of tinnitus.

 

I had a routine audiology exam during which she did some other things besides test my hearing, and she said "everything looked normal." Should I assume that she was doing those diagnostic tests mentioned above (tympanometry, otoscopy, etc) to see if my eustachian tubes were okay?

 

I don't know. I am coming to believe that ETD is probably the cause of tinnitus for many of us (or at least exasperating it) but ENT's don't know that. I just don't think Nasonex, Flonase, etc. is clearing out the fluid well enough. That's is typically what they prescribe for tinnitus. Could possibly be allergy related also.

 

Has anyone tried Mucinex to reduce the fluid in the ears? I've used it when had pneumonia or bronchitis, it thins the mucous so the body can absorb it easily. I wonder if it would do the same for mucous in the middle ear?

 

The price of this is through the roof. Not sure what the Office Version is but it's $385

 

I got mine directly from Summit Medical because they had a guarantee of some kind. I had to get a script though. It was $200 for the home unit.

Amazon has them somewhat cheaper:

https://www.amazon.com/EarPopper-Home-Version-Summit-Medical/dp/B01MU03MER/

 

Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the EarPopper has been passed to a new generation of Americans–born in this century, tempered by tinnitus, disciplined by a hard and bitter noise, proud of our ancient quiet times–and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your EarPopper can do for you — ask what you can do for your EarPopper!

Sorry about that...I thought I was JFK for a minute Not funny I take it!

 

The only way I got my ear to unclog last year was aggressive use of a Netti pot and ear irrigation. If I had it to do over, I would never have had ear irrigation. That is when this started.

 

Has anyone tried the EarPopper? Have looked at it online for flying and it apparently gets the eustachian tube open when flying - but reading some reviews it has apparently helped tons of people with clogged ears and other problems. Have ordered it and will hopefully get here tomorrow. Even if it does nothing for my ears, at least I will have tried it. Who knows, it might actually work.

 

Let me know if it works, I flew 14 hours from China to Toronto, and yes my ears did hurt, several days later I got the tinnitus, not sure if this caused it... let me know, much appreciated. Thanks.

 

I ordered it for the day before my flight so hope it gets here... Am taking many precautions anyway, but I would prefer to have that. Reading the reviews online it sounds amazing and greatly reduces pain when flying. I had pain anyway when I flew, regardless of tinnitus, so hopefully this will help. I will let you know.

 

Thanks, looking forward to hearing from you. Hope it all works out, keeping my fingers crossed

 

Thank you - I appreciate it. I am actually not too concerned about my tinnitus anymore, because now I have taken a Sudafed it has calmed down - I think. Will take another before I go to bed to see. Also from the stories I have read on the internet it is unlikely the tinnitus will increase - it's only if the ear gets damage, hence the protection.

 

Note that there is a cheaper device, called an Otovent, which does a similar job.
Gets good reviews on Amazon, although with some cautions.

May be another option for some.

[I have no connection with Otovent or any other firm.]

 

Did the EarPopper help you? I have been using one for my ETD problems and it's been a godsend.

 

What kind of symptoms has it helped if I may ask? I think I may have gotten ETD recently and have this annoying crackle sound when I swallow and such.

 

Thanks for the link. I just made one myself. Went to the dollar store, cost me 2 bux. Pack of balloons and one of those party blower things that make noise. I put that blower thing inside the end of the balloon. Seems to work the same way. I havnt used it much at all,cause I have an ENT appointment this week.

 

Just wanted to add that I've recently bought an EarPopper to help with ETD including tinnitus of varying severity, and found it very helpful. There's a sucking/rushing sound at times when I use it (when the middle ear feels really blocked) which I picture as air rushing down the suddenly opened ET, to relieve the negative pressure in the middle ear. Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/EarPopper-Home-Version-Summit-Medical/dp/B01MU03MER/

 

I bought this machine for ear infections in the ears. It did pop ears. I got tinnitus along with the flu. Was it worth money? No. I still have the clogged ears and tinnitus.

 

I found out the EarPopper works much better if you swallow a bit of water while you have it on. It seals your windpipe and all the air goes through your Eustachian tubes.

 

What happens when water goes into eustachian tubes?

 

You swallow the water. Only air goes into your Eustachian tubes.