Dull Eardrum & Crackling

[ashrosi]

Hello all,

I've had tinnitus along with crackling and popping every time I yawn or swallow since March of this year, and I've seen a couple doctors. Every time I go they tell me different things and I don't know if I should trust any of them anymore!

My first doctor was useless and basically told me to suck it up and live with it.

The second doctor I went to told me that my tinnitus was caused by a viral infection that should clear up in ~ 4 weeks, I was really happy to hear that of course but 4 weeks came and went and I was still suffering, in fact the ringing has gotten louder! I went back to that same doctor and she told me that my left eardrum was dull, gave me some nasal spray, and told me I'd be fine in ~ 3 weeks. It's been a little over 1 week since seeing her and my condition hasn't improved, I feel like it's getting worse actually!

Did anyone experience this type of thing before? I'd love some advice!

 

[JohnFox]

My first doctor was useless and basically told me to suck it up and live with it.

Well, your not alone. This is the world we live in. You don't mention if you are a listener to a lot of music and/or if you have a history of using music headphones or ear buds, going to concerts, etc;.. Is there some other source of constant noise you are exposed to on a regular basis? If so,....you need to stop or at least take a break. And yes, there are those who experience what you are experiencing. I myself experienced popping and crackling, but for me it was only at the beginning of the onset of my tinnitus (hissing static noise). It seems tinnitus has it's own unique personality for each of us who suffer from it. But for all of us, "silence" is a distant memory. Hope you get some help and advice on this forum.

 

[ashrosi]

@JohnFox
I used to listen to a lot of music when I was a teenager, though the volume was never that high. I work in a pretty quiet environment (which is probably why my T bothers me so much) and I'm not exposed to a lot of noise in my opinion. I do live in a busy city, though. One thing I forgot to mention in my original post is how when I plug my ears and press on a certain spot it feels like a bunch of air releases from the inside of my ear, and the sensation and sound can last up to a minute! Doctors said no ruptured eardrums so I'm stumped on what it could be.
Thank you for replying!

 

[JohnFox]

when I plug my ears and press on a certain spot it feels like a bunch of air releases from the inside of my ear, and the sensation and sound can last up to a minute! Doctors said no ruptured eardrums so I'm stumped on what it could be.

Your eustachian tubes may be swollen or congested, which might be the source of this issue of feeling like air is releasing from inside of your ear when you press on them. If this is the case, that sensation will go away once your eustachian tube/s clear up. A lingering virus can cause this, and sometimes viruses hang around for awhile, especially if you are tired and under stress. It this is the issue, your ringing tinnitus may very well subside once you get this under control. (I am not a medical professional, so take what I say as just some friendly advice.) Hoping for the best for you. It's still early.

 

[Mila9828]

Hello all,

I've had tinnitus along with crackling and popping every time I yawn or swallow since March of this year, and I've seen a couple doctors. Every time I go they tell me different things and I don't know if I should trust any of them anymore!

My first doctor was useless and basically told me to suck it up and live with it.

The second doctor I went to told me that my tinnitus was caused by a viral infection that should clear up in ~ 4 weeks, I was really happy to hear that of course but 4 weeks came and went and I was still suffering, in fact the ringing has gotten louder! I went back to that same doctor and she told me that my left eardrum was dull, gave me some nasal spray, and told me I'd be fine in ~ 3 weeks. It's been a little over 1 week since seeing her and my condition hasn't improved, I feel like it's getting worse actually!

Did anyone experience this type of thing before? I'd love some advice!

How are you doing now? I know you haven't been on since. I'm on the same boat as you right now.