I second that - it's of course worth to try every possible solution. Just doesn't hold Your breath, cause it's most unlikely to be protector fail, unless you give it a really bad treatment

If it's not protector, I would go even further, like restoring backups from working time (you use backupmenu, right? If not, just start to use it ), and if that doesn't help, create backup and reflash.

Not that I believe it can help You, but that doesn't cost You nothing (except a little time), and it's worth trying before spending ~30$ on new touch panel.