Sudden Low-Frequency Sound Sensitivity and Vertigo After Ear Pressure Equalization

TheDocIn813

Member
Author
Nov 8, 2025
1
Las Vegas
Tinnitus Since
1995
Cause of Tinnitus
Ear Surgeries
What's going on, everyone. I'm a 34-year-old male with chronically bad ears. I've had about six ear surgeries (five on the right, one on the left) since I was little. My right ear is the main culprit. I have a bit of tinnitus and occasional popping in that one, while my left ear gives me almost no issues.

Two nights ago, my right ear felt a bit clogged, so I decided to pinch my nose and pop it, which solved the issue and let the fluid drain. Both ears popped, and I felt great. However, I woke up the next morning with severe vertigo. I've had vertigo attacks before, but this one was particularly bad. I assumed it was coming from the left ear since lying on that side or moving toward it made it significantly worse. As the day went on, the vertigo subsided, and I felt much better by nighttime.

While at work (I work overnight in a completely silent office, so there's no noise exposure), I was typing reports when my left ear suddenly started feeling off for no reason. It almost felt like something was pulling away inside, behind the eardrum. Suddenly, I became sensitive to low-frequency sounds. They were extremely distorted and seemed to irritate the drum badly whenever I heard them. I had no pain or tinnitus from the incident, and no hearing loss either. It just feels like I'm extremely sensitive to bass-type sounds. I can even hear cars driving by through multiple walls.

Driving a car, standing next to a running air conditioner or refrigerator, or hearing any kind of bass sound is unbearable. I also live near a major airport, and the planes flying overhead make my ear go crazy. I can feel the weirdness deep in the middle of my head. At one point, I could barely stand hearing myself talk because it felt like my head was going to explode. That part has eased a little, and talking is now a bit more tolerable.

Any advice on what may be going on? I'm planning to make an appointment with an ENT on Monday. I've been doing some research, but there are so many possible ear issues that I'm having trouble narrowing it down.
 
Welcome to the forum. From your description, it sounds like you have hyperacusis or some features of it. The ears become very sensitive to sound, and even normal noises can feel uncomfortable or unbearable. This condition can cause a lot of distress and anxiety.

The good news is that, as strange as it feels, hyperacusis often fades with time, usually within about a year. I've personally had two episodes of hyperacusis. Both times, it lasted around nine months before improving.

During the first episode, I panicked constantly because the condition was so unfamiliar, which only made me suffer more. The second time it happened, my left ear had gone deaf, but I was calmer since I knew it might fade again—and it did. I avoided loud places or wore earplugs when necessary, but I also allowed my ears to experience normal environmental sounds. This seemed to help my recovery progress more quickly.

I hope your hyperacusis fades as well. Take care, and may your recovery go smoothly.
 

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