Pop in Left Ear After Wearing Over Ear Headphones. Constant Static Noise in Head Now.

Hello. I was here before because I developed a version of tinnitus that was just a whistling noise that played over external sounds. There was hardly any constant noise that played when there wasn't any external noise. After I took a mini vacation however it lowered down to nearly nothing. I was super happy about that. Last night however I made a huge mistake. I wore closed back over ear wireless headphones for about two hours. I wasn't listening to music, just talking to my friend over voice chat. After about two hours I felt a pop in my left ear and instantly heard a new tone. I already knew I was screwed. It started as ringing but as of today it's like there's static in my head. Its not super loud but it's pretty bothersome, I always hear it. If I put the headphones on without any sound I can hear it pretty clearly and loudly it freaks me out because it just confirms that it's there so definitely. I feel like there's been a bit of static in my head for a while but it's never been this loud and bothersome for so long. I'm terrified that this is permanent.

What should my next steps be? Does it seem like it could be hearing loss? I think things definitely sound a bit muffled and my ears seem to hurt from sounds. Should I really make an emergency appointment with an ENT? I've read something about steroids could I get some info on that? I'm really scared and I want to do everything I can to make sure this goes away soon and doesn't become permanent.

 

Quick update. I tried popping my ears by holding my nose and blowing or swallowing, and it seems to reduce the static noise and the fullness in my ear. Is it safe to do this? I'm now thinking that this static/hissing and fullness in my left ear is just from ETD or TTTS or TMJ or something similar. I stretched my jaw around and can definitely change the tone of the static, and it seemed to have reduced after stretching it somewhat. I feel better now and the static is a lot quieter, but I'm still paranoid about it. Anyone have a similar experience or any advice? What are the signs that it's related to my Eustachian tubes or something similar? What can I do to fix it?

 

I'm imagining that because it's a static type noise instead of a ringing noise, it's most likely something physical in my ears and not hearing loss. But I'm not sure. When I went to the ENT a few weeks ago for my last type of tone, they said I had no earwax or fluid build up. I'm not sure if I meet the symptoms for ETD or TTTS anyway. I'm really scared that this is hearing loss from using the headphones. I've done it many times since I've gotten this and I feel like an idiot for not even considering how it could worsen my tinnitus. I just know that I felt a pop in my left ear, and there's been this static mostly on the left side of my head, and that ear really feels full. When I put the headphones on the static gets really loud, and I swear I can feel the static coming out of my ears. Do you people think this seems like hearing loss or something physical in my ear? I'm very worried and trying to find answers and solutions. I'm willing to go to the ENT as an emergency but I wouldn't know what to ask for.

I actually have had Visual Snow Syndrome and DPDR for a while now. The neurologist said that it's likely a central nervous system issue or a form of constant epilepsy. What I'm saying is that maybe this is all just from my brain being overactive in general. Maybe I hear the same static that I see in my eyes. If it's that then I honestly won't mind because I think it would go away. I've actually had static like this for a while, I think since I got VSS, it was just pretty minimal. But if the spike is really from hearing loss and if it's likely permanent, then I'll be very scared. I'm just trying to figure out which it is.

 

Many of us, when we first develop tinnitus, struggle for a clear explanation/course of action. Unfortunately there usually isn’t one. What you can do right now is:

1. Consider an oral prednisone course. Look for an ENT that specializes in neuro-otology and tell them it’s an emergency. The specialists I have spoken with claim that intratympanic injections are not any better, and an oral course did help me with a severe spike, so take that for what it’s worth. No guarantees with this. It will spike your anxiety massively so be prepared to deal with that.

2. Relax, preferably without the use of psychoactive drugs. Tinnitus/sensitivity is directly influenced by you paying so much attention to it.

3. Play some white noise but not too loud.

4. Stop popping your ears so much.

5. Don’t use headphones ever again.

 

I'm starting to get more of a feeling in the inside of my left ear. Like sharp little feelings that come and go. It doesn't hurt too much but it's uncomfortable and it makes me wonder what's going on there. I'm feeling nauseous too. Could this be a sign of anything or is it normal from acoustic trauma?

 

Alright so I've tried popping my ears a few times by closing my nose and swallowing and I'm pretty sure only my right ear will pop (my left ear is the one with the static). I'm becoming more sure that its somatic as well. When I move my jaw and neck certain ways the tone changes. I'm almost sure that the actual tone and volume changes, I don't think it's just adding a new tone. When I lay down it becomes a lot louder and overall a lot more noticeable, like it's sorrounding my whole head instead of just the left side. It's been like that for a while because I've had this static for a while. It's just been a lot louder latley. I noticed that my jaw pops a bit when I open it all the way, and when I close it, it sort of juts to the left or right a bit.

I'll definitely make an appointment with an ENT or Audiologist once they reopen on Monday. I want to get a chance to go over all the details. I just don't know if these factors line up with hearing loss but we'll see.I don't want to hold my breath just yet but I want to have some hope. I'll probably try neck stretches in the mean time.

 

I've read about some people getting relief through neck stretches etc. But it seems pretty clear this is noise-induced. You may want to try anything possible right now to control it, which is understandable. And you may have some success. But be assured that it does fade over the months to come for many of us. If you look after your ears and avoid loud environments and headphones, you will increase your chances.