- May 6, 2025
- 1
- Tinnitus Since
- 2021
- Cause of Tinnitus
- R Side Acoustic Neuroma, L Side T Unknown
Hi there!
This is my introduction. I am a 31-year-old woman, and I have had tinnitus in my right ear since 2021 due to an acoustic neuroma. However, on November 22, 2024 (a few months ago), I suddenly experienced four hours of sound distortion in my good left ear. Certain things I said, as well as some environmental sounds, suddenly sounded metallic. I was a crying mess, but after four hours, the distortion seemed to subside.
About two weeks later, at a Christmas party, I noticed that certain sounds in the environment felt strange or even painful in my left ear. Following that, the metallic distortion—especially from my own voice—began to worsen. I also noticed that some songs had words or tones that sounded like beeps. I began hearing a "ring ring" sound in my left ear. Over the following weeks, the hyperacusis became more severe. Sometimes sounds were more metallic or echo-like, and I was eventually reduced to whispering. I could no longer work and had to rely heavily on earplugs. Interestingly, I also noticed the tinnitus in my right ear changed slightly and seemed to become quieter.
I developed pain and hyperacusis in both ears. I even asked my mom to speak softly because her voice sounded especially metallic and shrill. Over time, my perception of sound kept changing. Sometimes it was harder to hear, sometimes sounds felt blocked or muffled, and other times they were more metallic. The hyperacusis would vary in intensity. I also noticed a squealing tinnitus in my left ear that occurred every few seconds and seemed to cause discomfort. Most days, it felt like I had a headache caused by the ear pain and tinnitus.
During this time, I had several audiograms and saw my ENT multiple times. They said I had not lost any significant hearing in either ear. There was a 5 to 10 decibel margin of error, and although there were slight losses in the high frequencies, they did not consider it hearing loss. I explained that what concerned me was not so much hearing loss, but rather the metallic distortions, tinnitus in my good ear, and pain. I requested steroids, but they did not prescribe them since they did not see any hearing loss.
My GP prescribed an antihistamine and a steroid nasal spray, which might have been mildly helpful. However, the spray irritated my throat, so I stopped using it after three weeks.
Now, nearly six months later, the metallic distortions have improved somewhat but are still present. I no longer have headaches every day—only occasionally—and they do not seem directly connected to my ears or tinnitus. The tinnitus continues, although the "ring ring" sound in my left ear has faded considerably. It is now more of a constant hiss, with occasional light squeals. The tinnitus in my right ear remains but is softer, more of a high-pitched hiss. I still experience ear pain and hyperacusis. Occasionally, I get sudden sharp pain or a sensation of heat in my left ear. There is no sign of infection, though I have noticed slightly increased earwax production.
I no longer listen to music and avoid loud environments. I still go out but always wear earplugs. I talk with friends and family but take breaks and avoid raising my voice. Sudden noises, especially clanging dishes, are still very bothersome.
I do not know what caused this situation, but I should mention that during the initial four-hour episode, I was having a stressful conversation. I had also noticed slight metallic distortions in response to very high-pitched tones several months before that.
In January 2024, over a year ago, I went to a New Year's Eve event with several DJs and had severely plugged ears for 48 hours. My hearing eventually returned to normal. A few days later, I came down with COVID, followed by a fever. This all happened more than a year ago, but I sometimes wonder if those events together caused some trauma to my ears.
In October, just weeks before the four-hour episode, I had a very bad reaction to clarithromycin and began experiencing digestive issues including black stools and abdominal pain. The antibiotics likely caused gastrointestinal bleeding and damage to my small intestine, and those symptoms continued in a milder form even up to now. Then, in early November, about a week and a half before the hearing distortion episode, I received a flu shot at work.
Since the digestive issues started around the same time, I have wondered whether problems like GERD or leaky gut could be contributing. I have also wondered whether clarithromycin, PPIs like pantoprazole, or medications like Advil or Tylenol could have had ototoxic effects. I even considered whether the flu shot triggered a delayed inflammatory reaction. However, my ENT does not believe the digestive issues, medications, or vaccine played a role.
My ENT thinks the issue may be migraine-related, as I have had increasing migraines since last summer. My audiologist believes it could be related to a nerve or blood vessel issue, or possibly long COVID or a vaccine response. My GP thinks it might be caused by TMJ. I am not sure what to think.
Things have been getting slightly better overall, but I still have metallic distortions, tinnitus (especially the bothersome squealing in my good ear), and hyperacusis. I am currently taking a B vitamin complex, riboflavin, Coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and melatonin along with other supplements to help with the tinnitus. I am also following an anti-inflammatory diet. I started a mindfulness class and have tried red light therapy on my head a couple of times and once over my ears. I recently bought a red light therapy device for home use to save money and may try using it daily on my ears. I am also praying a lot and believing that God will heal me.
If anyone has suggestions or thoughts, I would truly appreciate it. This has been frustrating and scary, especially since I rely more on my left ear due to the acoustic neuroma on the right side. I have also been told I will likely need surgery soon. That said, I am managing much better now than I was a couple of months ago.
This is my introduction. I am a 31-year-old woman, and I have had tinnitus in my right ear since 2021 due to an acoustic neuroma. However, on November 22, 2024 (a few months ago), I suddenly experienced four hours of sound distortion in my good left ear. Certain things I said, as well as some environmental sounds, suddenly sounded metallic. I was a crying mess, but after four hours, the distortion seemed to subside.
About two weeks later, at a Christmas party, I noticed that certain sounds in the environment felt strange or even painful in my left ear. Following that, the metallic distortion—especially from my own voice—began to worsen. I also noticed that some songs had words or tones that sounded like beeps. I began hearing a "ring ring" sound in my left ear. Over the following weeks, the hyperacusis became more severe. Sometimes sounds were more metallic or echo-like, and I was eventually reduced to whispering. I could no longer work and had to rely heavily on earplugs. Interestingly, I also noticed the tinnitus in my right ear changed slightly and seemed to become quieter.
I developed pain and hyperacusis in both ears. I even asked my mom to speak softly because her voice sounded especially metallic and shrill. Over time, my perception of sound kept changing. Sometimes it was harder to hear, sometimes sounds felt blocked or muffled, and other times they were more metallic. The hyperacusis would vary in intensity. I also noticed a squealing tinnitus in my left ear that occurred every few seconds and seemed to cause discomfort. Most days, it felt like I had a headache caused by the ear pain and tinnitus.
During this time, I had several audiograms and saw my ENT multiple times. They said I had not lost any significant hearing in either ear. There was a 5 to 10 decibel margin of error, and although there were slight losses in the high frequencies, they did not consider it hearing loss. I explained that what concerned me was not so much hearing loss, but rather the metallic distortions, tinnitus in my good ear, and pain. I requested steroids, but they did not prescribe them since they did not see any hearing loss.
My GP prescribed an antihistamine and a steroid nasal spray, which might have been mildly helpful. However, the spray irritated my throat, so I stopped using it after three weeks.
Now, nearly six months later, the metallic distortions have improved somewhat but are still present. I no longer have headaches every day—only occasionally—and they do not seem directly connected to my ears or tinnitus. The tinnitus continues, although the "ring ring" sound in my left ear has faded considerably. It is now more of a constant hiss, with occasional light squeals. The tinnitus in my right ear remains but is softer, more of a high-pitched hiss. I still experience ear pain and hyperacusis. Occasionally, I get sudden sharp pain or a sensation of heat in my left ear. There is no sign of infection, though I have noticed slightly increased earwax production.
I no longer listen to music and avoid loud environments. I still go out but always wear earplugs. I talk with friends and family but take breaks and avoid raising my voice. Sudden noises, especially clanging dishes, are still very bothersome.
I do not know what caused this situation, but I should mention that during the initial four-hour episode, I was having a stressful conversation. I had also noticed slight metallic distortions in response to very high-pitched tones several months before that.
In January 2024, over a year ago, I went to a New Year's Eve event with several DJs and had severely plugged ears for 48 hours. My hearing eventually returned to normal. A few days later, I came down with COVID, followed by a fever. This all happened more than a year ago, but I sometimes wonder if those events together caused some trauma to my ears.
In October, just weeks before the four-hour episode, I had a very bad reaction to clarithromycin and began experiencing digestive issues including black stools and abdominal pain. The antibiotics likely caused gastrointestinal bleeding and damage to my small intestine, and those symptoms continued in a milder form even up to now. Then, in early November, about a week and a half before the hearing distortion episode, I received a flu shot at work.
Since the digestive issues started around the same time, I have wondered whether problems like GERD or leaky gut could be contributing. I have also wondered whether clarithromycin, PPIs like pantoprazole, or medications like Advil or Tylenol could have had ototoxic effects. I even considered whether the flu shot triggered a delayed inflammatory reaction. However, my ENT does not believe the digestive issues, medications, or vaccine played a role.
My ENT thinks the issue may be migraine-related, as I have had increasing migraines since last summer. My audiologist believes it could be related to a nerve or blood vessel issue, or possibly long COVID or a vaccine response. My GP thinks it might be caused by TMJ. I am not sure what to think.
Things have been getting slightly better overall, but I still have metallic distortions, tinnitus (especially the bothersome squealing in my good ear), and hyperacusis. I am currently taking a B vitamin complex, riboflavin, Coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and melatonin along with other supplements to help with the tinnitus. I am also following an anti-inflammatory diet. I started a mindfulness class and have tried red light therapy on my head a couple of times and once over my ears. I recently bought a red light therapy device for home use to save money and may try using it daily on my ears. I am also praying a lot and believing that God will heal me.
If anyone has suggestions or thoughts, I would truly appreciate it. This has been frustrating and scary, especially since I rely more on my left ear due to the acoustic neuroma on the right side. I have also been told I will likely need surgery soon. That said, I am managing much better now than I was a couple of months ago.
