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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could Snorting Cocaine Cause Damage To Eustachian Tube?

Could snorting cocaine cause damage to my eustachian tube? I have had weird popping in my ear and pain occasionally after a heavy weekend of snorting drugs...this started approximately a year after using the drug on weekends. I would easily go through 2 grams in a night (about 12 hours). The odd sensation in my ear (deep in my ear) seems to be getting worse each time. I will sometimes have a very bad ear ache for 2 days after, with some loss of hearing. My doctor has looked in my ear and said everything looks fine. The most annoying part is the popping...which I can actually make happen if I breath a certain way or swallow or open my mouth (and I don t have to open it far. I would very much appreciate some comments on this. I am not looking for advice really, just want to know if this is possible.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Mon, 28 May 2018 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 29 May 2018 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Yes, it is a possibility that excessive snorting can cause irritation and blockage of the Eustachian tube as the Eustachian tube is connected from back of nose to ear. Popping sensation of the ear and loss of hearing seems to be dye to blockage of Eustachian tube. So my suggestion is to avoid the use of drugs in the form of snorting, smoking, etc. Also you can try using decongestant nasal drops and also do steam inhalations. If it does not improve and Otoscopic examination of the ear goes clear and if the pain in ear continue with clicking sound then an examination of the jaw joint should also be done.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Could Snorting Cocaine Cause Damage To Eustachian Tube?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Yes, it is a possibility that excessive snorting can cause irritation and blockage of the Eustachian tube as the Eustachian tube is connected from back of nose to ear. Popping sensation of the ear and loss of hearing seems to be dye to blockage of Eustachian tube. So my suggestion is to avoid the use of drugs in the form of snorting, smoking, etc. Also you can try using decongestant nasal drops and also do steam inhalations. If it does not improve and Otoscopic examination of the ear goes clear and if the pain in ear continue with clicking sound then an examination of the jaw joint should also be done. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.