New to Tinnitus, Hearing Test Fine

[stewart80]

Well hello everyone, I seem to be a new member of the tinnitus club!

My story is basically that I noticed in February that I had quite loud buzzing in one ear. It was kind of out of the blue but I wasn't overly concerned as I'd just had a terrible cold for several weeks and thought it might have been related.

About 10 days passed and it was really annoying so I headed to the Dr who said I had skin debris in my ear and that when it came it out I'd be ok. At that point my ear felt quite uncomfortable (not sore) and I felt like my hearing was dulled.

Two weeks passed and I went to the nurse who checked my ears which were now clear of debris. She said maybe it was residual congestion and to try Sudafed for a week.

Another two weeks and I went back to the nurse who then said all look okay and if Sudafed not working try one week of antibiotics and if still having trouble to see the Dr in two weeks.

Another two weeks (!) and I was still having trouble so visited the Dr. She said she didn't know now and arranged an ENT check.

I've just had my ENT check and the hearing test was fine with both ears balanced and the ear pressure was also fine. Her conclusion was it was likely tinnitus and hyperacusis and has sent me home with some leaflets. However, she did say she'll arrange an MRI to check the ear structure itself.

I don't really know what support I'm looking for but I should confess since a major incident about 18 months ago I've been in a spiral of health anxiety. This has led to the development of new 'ailments' almost every month to the point where I wonder whether or not they are real. Then it end up with the cycle of more tests, anxiety, relief and then I move on to the next issue body part. I've had issues with my chest, skin, groin and hands - all have come on - been checked out - and I've moved on to the next. I can't help wonder if hyperawareness of my ears is the latest in the my health anxiety saga.

I should also say that while the tinnitus is predominantly in one ear, I can hear electrical noises in my other if my head it against the pillow. But the left was loud even with ambient noise.

Also, my level of hearing also feels ok now but didn't in the initial month or so.

Finally, I can feel clicking in my ears which the ENT claims is due to hyperawareness of the ears.

 

[DanielJ]

I can't help wonder if hyperawareness of my ears is the latest in the my health anxiety saga.

I would say it's quite likely. That's a part of habituation, knowing and accepting it's there and not "looking" for it. It's much the same with eye floaters, a lot of people have them but if you stop looking for them they become less bothersome and you can forget altogether that they are there (this can be minutes/hours/days depending on the severity).

 

[stewart80]

Thanks. I know it sounds plausible - maybe initial ear problems have resulted in me noticing tinnitus that was already there (even though the other symptoms have since gone). And now I'm thinking about it it's become the latest thing to worry about...

 

[Contrast]

Have you heard of hidden hearing loss?

Is your hyperacusis defined as "ear pain from noise?

 

[stewart80]

Hi all,

So i discovered I had tinnitus last year which was louder in my left ear. The ear also felt very sensitive and blocked - like when you leave a swimming pool and it went on for several months. As it seemed unilateral I had the usual MRI check and nothing dangerous was found lurking thankfully. So it was a case of welcome to the unexplained tinnitus club and good luck! The ENT said I could try nasal spray in case it was fluid related but basically that it was a case of trying to cope. I was also referred to a tinnitus support at the local hospital but by the time the appointment came (many months later) I cancelled as it wasn't bother me as much.

Then over the Christmas holidays I attended a show in my daughter and it was quite loud. I did feel some discomfort but I wouldn't say it was ridiculously loud. Since then my ear has started troubling me again. A full/sensitive sensation in the ear and a much more noticeable buzz. To be honest after being absolutely fine for a few months this seems like a devastating setback. I just wish i hadn't gone to the show/I had ear plugs etc but too later for regrets I guess. Since the tinnitus episode last year I'd been really careful to wear plugs when I was at anything noisy. I just hadn't thought that a kids show would be potentially be a problem.

I know from last time the buzz didn't necessarily disappear but it was a lot less noticeable (at least during the day). I don't know if part of the problem is that because my ear is a bit sensitive/off feeling again I'm now just much more aware or my ears and likely to listen to it (rather than it being objectively louder). And is the funny ear feeling part of the tinnitus?