Patient Stories

I shall reach my 88th birthday shortly and in about 1949-50, I began to take business flights on commerical arilines which flew at approximately 35,000 to 40,000 feet. It was then that I discovered that I had Eustachian Tubes that were not built for air pressure changes resulting from the plane's descent for landing or a change in altitude downward for some other reason.  As I recall, in 1949, my family physician referred me to an outstanding ENT specialist,  Dr. Tom Barr in Dallas. I am a little "hazy" in the procedure Dr. Barr followed but it seems I can recall that he inserted some tubes in my nose and with my mouth closed forced air into both nostrils which opened the Eustachian tubes. Dr. Barr at that time was nearing the end of his career and soon thereafter retired from his practice

Through the years since that time I have been bothered by airplane flights and a nasal allergy causing sinusitis which at times causes Eustachian problems. For some reason I have through all these years been unable to find and ENT or any other physician who can or will apply the same procedure which Dr. Barr followed in 1949 and I have been forced to follow a treatment by medication which is agonizingly slow.  I have had almost 60 years to ponder this matter but I have not yet come up with an answer. I am just told that what Dr. Barr did in 1949 is no longer done and that Neanderthal man that I am, I have to realize things have changed.

Much to my shock and pleasant surprise I was recently advised by my wonderful young Family Physican that he thought he had found the modern version of Dr. Barr's procedure--the "EarPopper". He is a young physician, Dr. John R. Morgan, of Dallas, who did not quit studying when he graduated from medical school as many do. He demonstrated the EarPopper for me and it gave me immediate relief. For a moment I thought the calandar had been turned back to my young days in 1949. Dr. Morgan then prescribed for me a Model EP-2000 and as they say, the rest is history.  I got immediate relief and will continue to use it as prescribed until I am "out of the woods"with this episode. I heartily recommend the EarPopper to my fellow-sufferers of all ages and give thanks to God for all who have been instrumental in making it possible. I still can't believe it.

A member of your organization, Sharon (extension 241) has been extremely helpful to me in getting my prescription shipped. She is a great credit to your organization. (Please excuse my typing. At 88 I find the typewriters of today are not as efficient as earlier - I mean the machines, not me!)

William G. Button

Mesquite, Texas