I have been experiencing a "plugged" feeling in my ears for about 6+ months. I have been to my regular doctor 3 times about this and never got anything more than ear drops. I tried to tell them that I thought it was more than just an infection...that something else was going on. I finally asked for a referral to an ENT. I had to go back the third time before they actually got one for me. Kind of frustrating. I haven't had any pain with it - just a loss of hearing...which in my case is not good. I have had chronic ear infections since I was small. There was a long break between junior high and into my mid to late 20's where I didn't have hardly any, but when Myles was born in 2004, I started having them fairly regularly again...like 2 or 3 a year.
My appointment with the ENT was Friday and immediately upon looking in my ear, he told me I have a cholesteatoma. He said, "I'll get you a pamphlet on it." So most of what I have learned has come from this pamphlet and the all-mighty Internet.
A cholesteatoma is defined as an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum. Repeated infections and/or a tear or retraction of the eardrum can cause the skin to toughen and form an expanding sac. Cholesteatomas often develop as cysts or pouches that shed layers of old skin, which build up inside the middle ear. (((yuck, I know))) Over time, the cholesteatoma can increase in size and destroy the surrounding delicate bones of the middle ear. Hearing loss (got it), dizziness (got that too!), and facial muscle paralysis are rare, but can result from continued cholesteatoma growth.
Cholesteatomas usually occur because of poor eustachian tube function as well as infection in the middle ear. The eustachian tube conveys air from the back of the nose into the middle ear to equalize ear pressure ("clear the ears"). When the eustachian tubes work poorly, the air in the middle ear is absorbed by the body, creating a partial vacuum in the ear. The vacuum pressure sucks in a pouch or sac by stretching the eardrum, especially areas weakened by previous infections. This can develop into a sac and become a cholesteatoma.
A large or complicated cholesteatoma usually requires surgical treatment to protect the patient (me!!) from serious complications. Surgery is performed under general anesthesia in most cases. The primary purpose of surgery is to remove the cholesteatoma so that the ear will dry and the infection will be eliminated. Hearing preservation or restoration is the second goal of surgery. In cases of severe ear destruction, reconstruction may not be possible. Reconstruction of the middle ear is not always possible in one operation; therefore, a second operation may be performed 6-12 months later. The second operation will attempt to restore hearing and, at the same time, allow the surgeon to inspect the middle ear space and mastoid for residual cholesteatoma.
Cholesteatoma is considered a "serious but treatable ear condition". A cholesteatoma should never be ignored. Bone erosion can cause the infection to spread into the surrounding areas, including the inner ear and brain. If untreated, deafness, brain abscess, meningitis, and, rarely, death can occur.
info from American Academy of Otolaryngology
So, now that I've spelled out more than anyone should ever know about cholesteatomas...I must say I'm glad I went and had it looked at and pressed for the referral to the ENT. There is no telling how bad it could have been if I had put it off.I have to keep my mind positive and not dwell on all the insecurities and fears that are flooding my system right now. I have to keep reminding myself of two of my favorite verses...
Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous!
Do not tremble or be dismayed,
Do not tremble or be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
