hey everyone,
i've been experiencing a seashell-like sensation in my ear for upwards of 7 years. i have another post regarding my issues with that that can be found here: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/another-pulsatile-tinnitus-thread.9764/#post-118600
over the last few years, i've experienced a few other other odd things:
1. occasionally when i'm on the phone and hold it to my left ear, my right ear (the same one that experiences the seashell sounds) pulsates like crazy. it's a very physical feeling - like my ear drum is being played like a bass drum. if it's happening and i move my phone to the ear that's spasming, it can make the problem go away.
2. i get random sensations of ear fullness and the sound of my own voice in the affected ear. this happens pretty sporadically and tends to be only noticeable when i'm in tight quarters like a car or when i'm sitting in corners close to walls (my guess is that it's when sound doesn't have a lot of places to go.) the sounds I hear are not complete sentences or words. it seems to be certain syllables or tones that cause the sensation. it can happen for a few seconds to a few minutes and then just goes away.
all of my symptoms wax and wane. sometimes it seems like a constant combination of the three, other times i almost have to force them to occur. they're never gone completely, but there are times that are better than others.
i recently got a hearing test that showed high frequency asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss of the affected ear. per the doctor's notes: "Audiogram from 6/6/18 obtained and reviewed with the patient shows normal hearing in the left ear. The right shows evidence of a noise induce hearing loss at 6000 Hz partially recovering to normal hearing at 8000 Hz."
an MRI with contrast has been ordered but they can't get me in for 2+ weeks and after a quick google search for "asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss" has absolutely terrified me. Anyone have any experience with this?
his full work up was as follows:
"On exam, patient is awake, alert, pleasant, in no distress. He is overweight. Neuro: Facial motion symmetric. House Brackmann Level 1. Respiratory: no audible stridor or expiratory wheeze, no acute distress. Face is non-tender, no swelling of the parotids. Facial motion symmetric. Eyes: no discharge. No nystagmus. Ear exam - pinna well formed. He has eczematoid changes with wax impaction of the right ear. Using this microscope, this is removed. No erythema noted. The left external auditory canal is clear. No signs for erythema or edema. Tympanic membranes intact. No retraction or effusion. Hand clap on the left did not evoke fluttering tinnitus on the right.
Audiogram from 6/6/18 obtained and reviewed with the patient shows normal hearing in the left ear. The right shows evidence of a noise induce hearing loss at 6000 Hz partially recovering to normal hearing at 8000 Hz.
IMPRESSION:
1. Right-sided tinnitus.
2. Asymmetric right sensorineural hearing loss.
3. Chronic otitis externa right ear with wax impaction
PLAN: I explained that his symptoms of right ear fluttering while on the phone left ear may be due to issues related to his auditory reflex. The tinnitus may very well represent a venous hum. We discussed further audiometric evaluation versus undergoing MRI and ultimately decided to pursue an MRI due to the hearing loss and tinnitus. This will be ordered today. I will call him regarding these results.
sorry for the length! thanks for your time, everyone!
i've been experiencing a seashell-like sensation in my ear for upwards of 7 years. i have another post regarding my issues with that that can be found here: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/another-pulsatile-tinnitus-thread.9764/#post-118600
over the last few years, i've experienced a few other other odd things:
1. occasionally when i'm on the phone and hold it to my left ear, my right ear (the same one that experiences the seashell sounds) pulsates like crazy. it's a very physical feeling - like my ear drum is being played like a bass drum. if it's happening and i move my phone to the ear that's spasming, it can make the problem go away.
2. i get random sensations of ear fullness and the sound of my own voice in the affected ear. this happens pretty sporadically and tends to be only noticeable when i'm in tight quarters like a car or when i'm sitting in corners close to walls (my guess is that it's when sound doesn't have a lot of places to go.) the sounds I hear are not complete sentences or words. it seems to be certain syllables or tones that cause the sensation. it can happen for a few seconds to a few minutes and then just goes away.
all of my symptoms wax and wane. sometimes it seems like a constant combination of the three, other times i almost have to force them to occur. they're never gone completely, but there are times that are better than others.
i recently got a hearing test that showed high frequency asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss of the affected ear. per the doctor's notes: "Audiogram from 6/6/18 obtained and reviewed with the patient shows normal hearing in the left ear. The right shows evidence of a noise induce hearing loss at 6000 Hz partially recovering to normal hearing at 8000 Hz."
an MRI with contrast has been ordered but they can't get me in for 2+ weeks and after a quick google search for "asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss" has absolutely terrified me. Anyone have any experience with this?
his full work up was as follows:
"On exam, patient is awake, alert, pleasant, in no distress. He is overweight. Neuro: Facial motion symmetric. House Brackmann Level 1. Respiratory: no audible stridor or expiratory wheeze, no acute distress. Face is non-tender, no swelling of the parotids. Facial motion symmetric. Eyes: no discharge. No nystagmus. Ear exam - pinna well formed. He has eczematoid changes with wax impaction of the right ear. Using this microscope, this is removed. No erythema noted. The left external auditory canal is clear. No signs for erythema or edema. Tympanic membranes intact. No retraction or effusion. Hand clap on the left did not evoke fluttering tinnitus on the right.
Audiogram from 6/6/18 obtained and reviewed with the patient shows normal hearing in the left ear. The right shows evidence of a noise induce hearing loss at 6000 Hz partially recovering to normal hearing at 8000 Hz.
IMPRESSION:
1. Right-sided tinnitus.
2. Asymmetric right sensorineural hearing loss.
3. Chronic otitis externa right ear with wax impaction
PLAN: I explained that his symptoms of right ear fluttering while on the phone left ear may be due to issues related to his auditory reflex. The tinnitus may very well represent a venous hum. We discussed further audiometric evaluation versus undergoing MRI and ultimately decided to pursue an MRI due to the hearing loss and tinnitus. This will be ordered today. I will call him regarding these results.
sorry for the length! thanks for your time, everyone!