Does Ear Fullness = Hearing Loss?

Hi everyone!

I have been dealing with tinnitus, hyperacusis and ear fullness 24/7 since my acoustic trauma 3.5 months ago. The ear fullness doesn't bother me as much as the tinnitus & hyperacusis at the moment, but I have seen it mentioned that ear fullness is usually due to hearing loss. Is that true?

I only ask because I got a standard audiogram done 5 days after the incident and I had no hearing loss (max 10 dB at some frequencies), but they only tested up to 8 kHz. I got the speech test done too and passed so I think that means I don't have hidden hearing loss. They also tested my ear pressure and it was normal.

The fullness started when my tinnitus did on the ear that was affected by the trauma, then the other ear clogged up about 1.5 days later. Does this mean I do in fact have hearing loss or could it be something else?

 

I wouldn't think so, both my ears felt plugged at onset and I had good hearing. I went on Prednisone and took Allegra. It cleared up pretty quick.

 

Doesn't have to. ETD, even without negative ear pressure can cause a weird feeling. TMJ, and neck muscles can play a part. If my ears feel full, I start massaging my neck muscles and they drain. Or take Sudafed PE. So no. Sometimes on this board you will get the feeling it means it, by reading comments, but it isn't always a shift in hearing. I had Trapezius dry needling. For days after my hearing was different between ears. Like very noticeable. Once the muscles went back into their more natural state, the hearing came back.