Could the Loud Ear Popping Sensation I Hear Be Caused by Hyperacusis?

[Orions Pain]

For a while I was thinking I have ETD, but is it possible the clicking/popping is just extra loud to me because I actually have hyperacusis and I'm hearing the normal sound as amplified? It's like a squeaky pop, almost as if someone is stepping into a puddle of sticky goo or something

I just went into our living room and one of my roommates had left the TV on a volume of 32 or something like that. It sounded super loud to me so I turned it down to about 14 or so which is comfortable for me. I decided to measure the dB of it being on 34 and standing next to the TV I was getting 70 ( I put ear plugs on for this)

When I turned it back down to 14, from the couch about 5 feet away I measure about 50.

Now I'm starting to freak out as I'm like 99% sure I have hyperacusis. My coworker had her kid with her at work and she was sitting in a chair and kicking her legs up and down (she's about 4 I think) and hitting the plastic part of the bottom of each chair and it was making my ears so uncomfortable.

Is it too early to seek professional help at 3 months? Should I give it more time? From what I've gathered hyperacusis is even more of a mystery than Tinnitus as far as doctors are concerned.

 

[East]

Sounds like a ETD problem.. How often is the clicking noise??? Does it cause pain?

 

[Orions Pain]

Sounds like a ETD problem.. How often is the clicking noise??? Does it cause pain?

Pretty much every time I swallow, open/close my mouth it happens

It's not painful but sometimes the pressure buildup causes some discomfort when I swallow, it feels like someone flicks my ear drum

 

[Orions Pain]

Sometimes I feel like something clicks within my cheeks

 

[Orions Pain]

I saw someone on here describe it as the sound of when you pull a cork out of a wine bottle

 

[East]

Yeah that sound is your eustachian tube opening, and is probably squeaking because they are inflamed or they are lined with mucus and they are sticking together. I've been dealing with weird pressure in one of my ears too, and sometimes get a very subtle ticking sound every 10 or 20 seconds. Do you have this too??

Also, I feel like everything is louder/more noticable when I am stressed or anxious. I usually find reading something interesting or watching youtube videos takes my mind off it and the sensitivity usually goes away.

 

[Autumnly]

Yeah that sound is your eustachian tube opening, and is probably squeaking because they are inflamed or they are lined with mucus and they are sticking together. I've been dealing with weird pressure in one of my ears too, and sometimes get a very subtle ticking sound every 10 or 20 seconds. Do you have this too??

Also, I feel like everything is louder/more noticable when I am stressed or anxious. I usually find reading something interesting or watching youtube videos takes my mind off it and the sensitivity usually goes away.

Dr. Nagler wrote "hyperacusis is a condition wherein sounds that are well-tolerated by others sound uncomfortably loud to those so affected. Your description of pain pattern does not fit with that description." which describes loudness-hyperacusis but not pain-hyperacusis also called noxacusis. I'm not saying that you are experience pain-hyperacusis but hyperacusis can include symptoms of pain.

• Pain hyperacusis: a stabbing sensation at much lower sound levels than would typically prompt pain. This is sometimes described as a sharp or dull pain in the ear, jaw, or neck, feeling of fullness in the ear, or a tingling in the ear according to Lindsey Banks, Au.D. source

Posting this here since I can't reply to Dr. Nagler's threads.

 

[East]

Dr. Nagler wrote "hyperacusis is a condition wherein sounds that are well-tolerated by others sound uncomfortably loud to those so affected. Your description of pain pattern does not fit with that description." which describes loudness-hyperacusis but not pain-hyperacusis also called noxacusis. I'm not saying that you are experience pain-hyperacusis but hyperacusis can include symptoms of pain.

• Pain hyperacusis: a stabbing sensation at much lower sound levels than would typically prompt pain. This is sometimes described as a sharp or dull pain in the ear, jaw, or neck, feeling of fullness in the ear, or a tingling in the ear according to Lindsey Banks, Au.D. source

Posting this here since I can't reply to Dr. Nagler's threads.

Would you say my post sounds like noxacusis ?

 

[Autumnly]

Would you say my post sounds like noxacusis ?

The fact that the symptoms started after a loud concert could be a sign of pain-hyperacusis but the pain could also be due to other conditions such as TTTS or ETD. Personally, I wouldn't exclude pain-hyperacusis but I'm not a medical professional. I was just surprised Dr. Nagler didn't mention that hyperacusis can also include symptoms of pain.

 

[Orions Pain]

The fact that the symptoms started after a loud concert could be a sign of pain-hyperacusis but the pain could also be due to other conditions such as TTTS or ETD. Personally, I wouldn't exclude pain-hyperacusis but I'm not a medical professional. I was just surprised Dr. Nagler didn't mention that hyperacusis can also include symptoms of pain.

ETD and TTTS can cause pain?

 

[Autumnly]

ETD and TTTS can cause pain?

TTTS:

• Symptoms consistent with TTTS can include: tinnitus; rhythmic aural sensations such as clicks and tympanic membrane flutter; alterations in ventilation of the middle ear cavity leading to a sense of aural blockage or fullness, a frequent aural "popping" sensation and mild vertigo; [10],[11] minor alterations in middle ear impedance [12] leading to fluctuating symptoms of "muffled" and/or "distorted" hearing; irritation of the trigeminal nerve innervating the tensor tympani muscle, leading to pain, numbness and burning sensations in and around the ear, along the cheek, neck and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area. [9],[10]
• Tonic tensor tympani syndrome in tinnitus and hyperacusis patients: A multi-clinic prevalence study

ETD:

• If the tube is dysfunctional, symptoms such as muffled hearing, pain, tinnitus, reduced hearing, a feeling of fullness in the ear or problems with balance may occur.
  
• Interventions for adult Eustachian tube dysfunction: a systematic review.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Is it too early to seek professional help at 3 months? Should I give it more time? From what I've gathered hyperacusis is even more of a mystery than Tinnitus as far as doctors are concerned.

Hi @Orions Pain

From what you describe I believe you have Noise induced tinnitus with hyperacusis, which often accompanies NIT but hasten to add not always. With or without treatment this form of tinnitus and I'm specifically referring to noise induced tinnitus usually improves with time. However, how much improvement depends on many factors. Namely, the extent and severity of the tinnitus and hyperacusis and how much they are affecting your mental and emotional wellbeing? I usually recommend a 4 to preferably 6 month period should elapse before starting treatment such as TRT or CBT since they are long term treatments. You haven't said the cause of your tinnitus but since it is noise induced, I will take the liberty and say it is either headphone use or attending clubs, concerts where loud music is played?

Whatever is the cause ultimately it is NIT that you have. This may need specialist treatment especially if you have a lot of discomfort with oversensitivity to sound ( hyperacusis) Contrary to what some people believe hyperacusis caused by exposure to loud noise can improve to the point of totally being cured. I am one example of that being cured of severe painful hyperacusis for over 22 years using white noise generators as part of TRT.

The negative thinkers on this forum (and there are many) will swamp this thread with their pessimism and tell you TRT and white noise generators do not help noise induced tinnitus. Please do not allow this to deter you from seeking this treatment or CBT. I correspond with people in this forum and others that have had good success treating tinnitus and curing hyperacusis caused by noise exposure. Please take your time and read my articles in the links below, particularly those highlighted in red. If you decide to leave things a little longer up to 6 months before seeing an Audiologist, trained in Tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment then do so.

Please refrain from using headphones. If you do start any form of tinnitus treatment with a professional, I strongly advise you to keep away from all tinnitus forums and if you can't please do not discuss your treatment in them. The reason being negative thinking people, are apt to say things that can make you believe the treatment you are having will not help and that will do you no good. Your mind needs to kept open clear and positive and this can be difficult to achieve when surrounded by negativity, tinnitus has the ability to produce enough of that by itself.

Take care and I wish you well
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/trt-as-i-see-it.19555/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-is-trt-and-when-should-it-be-started.19024/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-happens-in-trt-sessions.18195/

 

[Orions Pain]

Hi @Orions Pain

From what you describe I believe you have Noise induced tinnitus with hyperacusis, which often accompanies NIT but hasten to add not always. With or without treatment this form of tinnitus and I'm specifically referring to noise induced tinnitus usually improves with time. However, how much improvement depends on many factors. Namely, the extent and severity of the tinnitus and hyperacusis and how much they are affecting your mental and emotional wellbeing? I usually recommend a 4 to preferably 6 month period should elapse before starting treatment such as TRT or CBT since they are long term treatments. You haven't said the cause of your tinnitus but since it is noise induced, I will take the liberty and say it is either headphone use or attending clubs, concerts where loud music is played?

Whatever is the cause ultimately it is NIT that you have. This may need specialist treatment especially if you have a lot of discomfort with oversensitivity to sound ( hyperacusis) Contrary to what some people believe hyperacusis caused by exposure to loud noise can improve to the point of totally being cured. I am one example of that being cured of severe painful hyperacusis for over 22 years using white noise generators as part of TRT.

The negative thinkers on this forum (and there are many) will swamp this thread with their pessimism and tell you TRT and white noise generators do not help noise induced tinnitus. Please do not allow this to deter you from seeking this treatment or CBT. I correspond with people in this forum and others that have had good success treating tinnitus and curing hyperacusis caused by noise exposure. Please take your time and read my articles in the links below, particularly those highlighted in red. If you decide to leave things a little longer up to 6 months before seeing an Audiologist, trained in Tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment then do so.

Please refrain from using headphones. If you do start any form of tinnitus treatment with a professional, I strongly advise you to keep away from all tinnitus forums and if you can't please do not discuss your treatment in them. The reason being negative thinking people, are apt to say things that can make you believe the treatment you are having will not help and that will do you no good. Your mind needs to kept open clear and positive and this can be difficult to achieve when surrounded by negativity, tinnitus has the ability to produce enough of that by itself.

Take care and I wish you well
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/trt-as-i-see-it.19555/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-is-trt-and-when-should-it-be-started.19024/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-happens-in-trt-sessions.18195/

@Michael Leigh i see your comments/advice about hyperacusis/tinnitus on here a lot but I don't think I've ever seen you mention what exactly caused yours?

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Michael Leigh i see your comments/advice about hyperacusis/tinnitus on here a lot but I don't think I've ever seen you mention what exactly caused yours?

HI @Orions Pain

Listening to music through headphones at too high a volume and didn't realize it. The tinnitus developed gradually and looking back, I didn't realize as it was masked during the day by sounds in the environment. One day I was listening to music with the headphones and as I took them off I then heard the loud ringing and couldn't get away from it.

May I ask what caused your tinnitus?

 

[Orions Pain]

HI @Orions Pain

Listening to music through headphones at too high a volume and didn't realize it. The tinnitus developed gradually and looking back, I didn't realize as it was masked during the day by sounds in the environment. One day I was listening to music with the headphones and as I took them off I then heard the loud ringing and couldn't get away from it.

May I ask what caused your tinnitus?

Concerts without ear plugs. Never had ringing after concerts because I was always in nose bleeds, but I think I just had a period in 3 months where I overdid it - too many noisy events with little time to recover in between them.

Excessive headphone use - never at a loud volume but long sessions. Also had a couple events where they accidentally blasted my ears for a second or so.

Loud bars/clubs/music in cars, etc.

All of it added up eventually, and one day hyperacusis + tinnitus set in and hasn't gone away.

Gave up the headphones right away, haven't been going anywhere loud since. My noise tolerance threshold is definitely shot, and it's terrifying.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Gave up the headphones right away, haven't been going anywhere loud since. My noise tolerance threshold is definitely shot, and it's terrifying.

@Orions Pain

Take your time and read through my articles and try not to skim through them. If you have a printer I advise that you print them and refer to them often. The tinnitus and hyperacusis have a good chance of improving, so I advise not to use headphones even at low volume. Give the clubbing a rest for a while and better if you can keep away from loud music. Try and go out and socialise. If you're feeling stressed have a word with your doctor. Consider seeking professional help if things get too much. If you are not using sound enrichment at night try using it. Keep the volume slightly below the tinnitus. More information about this is in my posts.

Take care
Michael