So... Hearing Distortion... Anyone Else Have This?

So any updates on this thread. I have the same issues, the tinnitus and ear fullness (right ear only) comes and goes since Oct 2013 until now. I had a 1 full clean month in between. Other than this clean month, it is very punctual. 2 days right ear fullness, whoosing sound low frequency Tinnitus, and hearing distortion, human voices be like Daleks voice, dialtone will be low pitched on the right ear. I however never had any vertigo ever.

I noticed mine only starts when I am at work looking into the monitor, I am an artist. And everytime it is bad I yawn so much, I dont get enough sleep.

So the people posted here, such as Ankie etc....Did anyone end up getting it diagnosed properly? Is it a a form of Menieres? Did anyone end up getting a vertigo attack?

I am so worried if I will get a vertigo attack, eventhough I never had one ever since it started.
I hope it is not Menieres dieasse. I went to ENT, who denied the possibility of Menieres without a vertigo attack. My MRI and CT scans are all clear.

This is a mystery. Can someone post your updates please.

 

No one has yet diagnosed me with anything. Very frustrating. I did go to a tinnitus class where they said that tinnitus is not always an ear sound. It can also originate in the brain. I began taking SAM-e and my episodes reduced, until I was clear for a year. Started up again recently. No Vertigo yet, but that could change.

 

Ankie, what do you mean with could change?

 

Yeah what do you mean by that could change? Do you feel like you are at the verge of having a vertigo attack?
I can still deadlift 405 at the gym while I am having earfullness, I am only saying it cuz never had any balance issues so far.

 

What I mean is, IF, and only if, what I have is a form of cochlear Meniere's (just no vertigo), then it is possible that vertigo can show up later. It happens in some folks.

 

How do they diagnose Cohlear Menieres? How is it different from simply Tinnitus? Many seem to have fluctuating tinnitus on various levels.

I wonder what the difference is between Just Tinnitus vs Meniere's vs Cohlear hydrops.

ENT denied it because I did not have hearing loss and vertigo. I am seeing another ENT for second opinion, an older guy this time.

 

Meniere's disease presents itself with the following four classical symptoms:

1) Reverse ski slope hearing loss
2) Tinnitus
3) Fullness in the ears
4) Vertigo

(The severity of each of the symptoms depends on the specific case and also on how far the disease has progressed at the time of diagnosis...)

 

Thanks for explaining.


If the hearing is normal after the tinnitus is gone as per audio gram, does it still mean the person had hearing loss during tinnitus?

I did audio-gram 4 times so far, unfortunately they were all done on the clean days in which I did not have tinnitus. Hearing curve was in the normal limits.

On the days I have mild whooshing tinnitus, I have mild to medium fullness (semi fullness?) It does not even feel like the sound is from the ears, it felts like it is on my head.

Anyway, after the audiogram on different times the hearing was in normal limits and it is frustrating cuz the doctors don't take me seriously as soon as they see the audiogram results. You're ears are fine, go home is what their attitude is.

Whenver I have had tinnitus, I always heard the sound but it was distorted. I was even more sensitive to sound on the affected ear, that I normally wouldn't pick up on, but it would be distorted. It was never like I can't hear you, it was like I don't understand what you are saying via this ear.

So one should have all these 4 symptoms to conclude it is Meniere's?. What is reverse ski slope hearing loss? Can you please describe it.

 

Reverse ski slope = hearing loss beginning with the lower frequencies and progressively getting better in the higher frequencies. Here is a sample...



Tinnitus does not affect hearing directly. So your hearing ability would be the same on the days where you had tinnitus as on the days where you didn't.

Tinnitus that comes and goes needs more specialist care. I suggest you search for an ENT who specializes in tinnitus; it sounds as if there could be other reasons for your tinnitus - perhaps a somatic component or something which relates to the blood vessels near the ear. You should find such a doctor and describe in detail how you experience your symptoms. The doctor will then determine if and what tests to perform eg. an MRI and/or possibly an angiogram.

The fullness in the ear suggests some kind of dysfuntion. Difficult to say which; most often fullness in the ear is a sign of inner ear overstrain from too much noise exposure. Fullness in the ear is often the prestage to tinnitus.

Probably you don't have Menieres and probably there is nothing seriously wrong with you (the ENTs have already ruled that out), but... bottomline: you need a diagnosis. So find a compentent ENT specialist. My advice.

 

Hhmmm.... There definitely is "something" going on with your hearing. Especially the first audiogram, right ear (red line) is showing signs of hearing loss and slight reverse ski slope. It could be the early stages of some condition/disease; at least your concerns are fully justified (in my opinion).

One very important thing I noticed and which you absolutely need to have done is: get a hearing test which includes the 0.125 kHz frequency (this was left out for both tests, I noticed). Including this frequency will confirm to a higher degree if you are experiencing the early stages of reverse ski slope hearing loss. I advise you to get this done and definitely see a specialist about it.

Here is what a "normal" audiogram would look like (my own) - compare it with yours, and you will notice the difference; notice also that the 0.125 kHz frequency is included. My audiograms show signs of the normal ski slope (which is what most people develop at some point ie. hearing loss in the higher frequencies).

Take care.

 

Thank you so much. I am meeting another experienced ENT next week because the first one I met was younger and was not very experienced. Hopefully he specializes in Tinnitus.

I am attaching the images of my audiogram, on 2 different occassion. I consulted with a few ENT overseas and they said it is within normal limits. Can you see if this is reverse ski slope?

I hear all the men voices fine, grunting/deep, it is usually high pitched voices and kids that get distorted.

 

Thank you so much. I am going to see if I can get a private audiologist to get this done with 0.125 frequency. In Canada, it is hard to get done and make request on specifics cuz health care is free.

I will post back the results and update how it goes.

Thanks again, I am greatful for all the support.

PS: I edited the earlier post because I forgot to quote it. Sorry about that.

 

wow I got the most recent audio gram from last 2 weeks ago, I thought I may never be able to get it. I got it in 10 mins after emailing them.

The first 2 audio gram were done many months ago, this one is the recent one. I don't know why the doctors think it is normal when the curve goes down.

 

Well, this most recent one is within normal hearing limits. But something must have been going on when the earlier ones were done. Difficult to say what, however. The main thing is that your hearing seems to have recovered - but, if you are still experiencing hearing distortion, then there is a problem, of course.

Bottomline: see a specialist about it - and bring the audiograms along for the consultation. My advice.

 

Yeah I am still getting the coming and going tinnitus, every 3 days as a cycle. Very unpredictable. I just hope none of my audiogram results are leading towards Menieres (I am very afraid of Menieres like a phobia, I love driving and that would be end of that if I am diagnosed with menieres) I will try to get an appointment. I will keep you updated.

Thanks again for your insights.

 

I have this too! It's like broken hearing

 

When squeeze the plastic bag I get distorted sounds. It feels like the sound created by squeezing the bag gets super fine detailed. When I am waiting for train and the train comes the sound of incoming train aggravates T and makes it louder and distorted. It feels like there is too much of the details to handle. It always goes away after the external sound fades away. I dont get this with music. I can listen to music and it sounds super fine and clear. I always feel like I might hear better now then before T but this kind of does not make any sense.

 

Exactly like my situation was before the first violent vertigo attack. Took me some two years with that on/off -clogged ear -thing + distorted sounds, hearing loss, helluva T and then Meniere´s hit with a vengeance and changed all my life. Some of us have been writing here about MD.

This is what the doc said "a classic Meniere´s audiogram", my right ear that is.

 

Any chance of an update? What anti virals did you take?

 

How is it now?

 

This looking back falls under reactive t, rather than hearing distortion.
It is a bit better most of the time because I am not listening out for it. Although it kicks in more when I have not been sleeping well.

 

Thanks ever so much for getting back to me.

 

Hey folks - So I've had tinnitus off an on for years, nothing too severe, and have had issues with wax buildup/blockage, but I've always seemed to be able to manage it. Now I cleared a blockage from my right ear and I'm experiencing the kazoo-like distortion that many have mentioned (voices on the radio, etc). It does seem like there is low frequency loss. Obviously I should go see an ENT, although it seems many here have been frustrated with their results. Just trying to see if anyone has had any development or insight into this issue. Thanks.

 

I have distortion, voices are fine but when listening too music I get a kazoo, rattle kind of effect along with reactive tinnitus. Mostly seems to be on the left ear.
I suffered acoustic trauma 5 months ago.

 

This sounds more like hyperacusis. I have this. Certain sounds and pitches are disturbing and distorted.

 

Hi I know this was ages ago

But how is your hearing now - as the same thing has happened to me right now

 

How is your hearing now?
I'm experiencing the same thing

 

I just started with the distortion, broken speaker effect. Started right after the ENT cleaned wax from my ear. Has been two weeks so far and no relief. She has scheduled a head MRI, but claims no knowledge of such an issue. I expect she will find nothing in the MRI. I have had dome tinnitus fir a few years. Any inspiration?

HI - All is the same with me. Only good news is you learn to ignore the distortion over time. So, yes it is still there, but I try not to concentrate on it. ENT Doctors are mostly useless, in fact this particular issue started after a ENT used a vacuum to remove wax. She denied having anything to do with it, despite my having the new issue immediately after the procedure. Do not let anyone remove wax other than manually, slow and careful!

 

This is what I'm having trouble with ATM
I have had tinnitus for 10 yrs from noise damage and had a recent build up of wax and was referee for microsuction which I did - however I was scared so not all of the wax was removed only 80% and there's some wax stuck to the ear drum

However straight away my tinnitus went high pitched - and I'm hearing a high pitched airy, echoey distorted from my ears - to, radio , music is static and echoey

I've been to the ent since ( it happened 14 days ago) and they keep saying it's the wax still there and they need to remove the wax first via microsuction !!
I don't know what to do the wax needs to be removed somehow - maybe syringing ?

 

DO NOT ALLOW A WATER SYRINGE, this can be damaging. A high power vacuum is also very bad. Only manual removal, or perhaps "micro suction", whatever that is, as long as it is very low impact.