Hyperacusis in ONE Ear Only??

[wishingluck]

I just realized I only feel this 'irritability' in one ear only! (supposing it's really 'hyperacusis). If I touch the area around this ear, I can feel the 'fluttering', but if I do the same thing for the other ear, it feels 'normal', Anyone else?

 

[Telis]

My left ear is WAY worse than my right. It's weird because I have more hearing loss in my right. My left ear will spasm at the flick of a light switch or when I begin to speak every time.

 

[canyonero]

Yes, only my right ear is effected by T and H. I am pretty sure my acute acoustic trauma incident only affected my right ear since the loud noise was right near it. Also have jaw popping on that side.

 

[japongus]

Test yourselves with headphones one ear at a time and come back to me to see if you really have it one ear, I'm interested in your results. Also notice whether or not a sound on one ear through the headphone is affecting your other ear (it could do so through the acoustic reflex)

Unfortunately the possible predominance of bilateral hyperacusis, over unilateral, has been used as an element of proof for central nerve irritability, when it's not really proof at all.

 

[wishingluck]

Test yourselves with headphones one ear at a time and come back to me to see if you really have it one ear, I'm interested in your results. Also notice whether or not a sound on one ear through the headphone is affecting your other ear (it could do so through the acoustic reflex)

Unfortunately the possible predominance of bilateral hyperacusis, over unilateral, has been used as an element of proof for central nerve irritability, when it's not really proof at all.

well it's not just the noise or the sound, but just the TOUCH. If I touch the area around the right ear, it feels normal, but with the other ear I can feel the inside of the ear 'flutter' (or 'spasm' as Telis suggested).

As for noise and sound, generally all noise and sounds that seemed harsh before my T onset, now feel way harsher. This is the same for either ear. But the flutter will only happen for the left ear, and only with louder sounds or noises.

Also, some days this 'flutter' is way worse, some days way better. It seems to be related to a low rumble. When the rumble is there, they hyperacusis is worse.

I should take the hyperacusis test research thing on the ATA website. It's a very in dept report and takes a couple of hours. I will have to do it.

 

[japongus]

well it's not just the noise or the sound, but just the TOUCH. If I touch the area around the right ear, it feels normal, but with the other ear I can feel the inside of the ear 'flutter' (or 'spasm' as Telis suggested).

As for noise and sound, generally all noise and sounds that seemed harsh before my T onset, now feel way harsher. This is the same for either ear. But the flutter will only happen for the left ear, and only with louder sounds or noises.

Also, some days this 'flutter' is way worse, some days way better. It seems to be related to a low rumble. When the rumble is there, they hyperacusis is worse.

I should take the hyperacusis test research thing on the ATA website. It's a very in dept report and takes a couple of hours. I will have to do it.

Well my rumble has been permanent ever since I had TTTS or sound induced hypersensitivity or hyperacusis. Before that it would only be around when there were sounds and it would quieten in complete silence.

But now any slight sound change makes them flutter.

And one ear is worse than the other and it seems like its the only one fluttering, but what´s really happening is it's overwriting the flutters of the other ear.

 

[wishingluck]

Thanks my friend. I don't know what to think, it's like the more you try to understand this stuff, the less sense it makes.

The only consolation is that it doesn't seem to be painful, although it's uncomfortable.

 

[japongus]

Thanks my friend. I don't know what to think, it's like the more you try to understand this stuff, the less sense it makes.

The only consolation is that it doesn't seem to be painful, although it's uncomfortable.

What does this mean, uncomfortable but not painful? You said they're harsher. Don't you think you'd classify it as a painful situation if you felt all noises like you do those few loud noises, like I do? Its a vibration, a flutter, a spasm, sure its not break my leg bad but if all sounds provoke it it would be hell don't you think?

 

[PaulBe]

Unfortunately the possible predominance of bilateral hyperacusis, over unilateral, has been used as an element of proof for central nerve irritability, when it's not really proof at all.

Agreed. Lots of speculation and supposition, very little proof.

 

[Reinier]

I just realized I only feel this 'irritability' in one ear only! (supposing it's really 'hyperacusis). If I touch the area around this ear, I can feel the 'fluttering', but if I do the same thing for the other ear, it feels 'normal', Anyone else?

My right ear shows NIHL. Left ear audiogram is almost normal.
I noticed that when I protect my right ear and a sharp sound (plate or cup) enters my left ear I hear something uncomfortable in my right ear. Sometimes audible, sometimes a feeling. So this makes it bilateral?

So, in effect I can irritate my right ear with to much sound coming into my left ear
Could it be that the process from the brain that regulates the amplification of the cochlea (outer hair cells) on my right ear are also responding to noise entering the other ear? I believe so.

 

[Yo-Han]

I have simular experiences. My worst ear is my left (T and H wise). I have to say that i have TMJ and neck problems too. The left side is the worst for both conditions. I do feel the right side too and have T and H there also, but not as bad.

But if i plug my left ear only, i still hear many things to loud or oncomfrtably loud causing pressure or fluttering or mild pressure like dull pain (hardly sharp pain, very occasionally this happens and last only a few seconds)

My T can even spike with earplugs in from a distant sound that simply 'sartles' me. But so can it spike from certain neck and jaw movements, pressure change like feelings in my jaw/head can cause short fleeting bursts


-Muscle spasms: jaw and neck muscles pull on ETD controlling muscles (tensor veli palatini) ?
-ETD (eustachian tube disorder): when i swallow a clicking of the tube opening and closing is worse then it used to be, and will go TRRRTRRTT and be mor spastic on real bad days) ?
-Enervated overactive 5th or 7th facial nerve ? (nerves that control tensor tympani and stapedius muscle) Crossover excitation to 8th hearing nerve?
-My mild(-50Db) hearing loss at 4Khz from my younger DJ and hobby musician years are now showing their ugly face due my other symptoms?
-Long term anxiety and stres symptoms, stuck in fight or flight, adrenal fatigue/ burnout?


I'm a candidate for all of these ...
Yeah sometimes you think you get it (T and H)... and you don't the next day.

 

[Reinier]

I have to say that i have TMJ and neck problems too.

I experience this too. Because it started right after my NIHL I am pretty sure these noises from neck and jaw have always been there. Now I hear them because hearing is at maximum all the time.
Also anxiety makes me very aware. Every time I get reminded that something irreversible has taken place in my hearing.
Over time I expect that I will adapt and this anxiety will become less.

will go TRRRTRRTT and be mor spastic on real bad days

I did not know that this sound, I also hear, originates from the Eustachian tube.
This sound was much worse right after my acoustic trauma. After 7-8 months it is a lot quieter. (More or less).

 

[Yo-Han]

hello @Reinier

I'm not shure if its the ET in my case. It's more a wild geuss of mine.
The tensor veli palatini affects the opening and closing of the ET i thought

From wiki:

The tensor veli palatini tenses the soft palate and by doing so, assists the levator veli palatini in elevating the palate to occlude and prevent entry of food into the nasopharynx during swallowing. The tensed palate consequently provides a stable platform for elevation of the pharynx during swallowing by the pharyngeal muscles. Since it is also attached to the lateral cartilaginous lamina of the auditory tube, it assists in its opening during swallowing or yawning to allow air pressure to equalize between the tympanic cavity and the outside air. Equalization of air pressure in the tympanic cavity is essential for preventing damage to the tympanic membrane and a resulting loss of hearing acuity.

The tensor tympani or stapedius muscle could also be causing this clicking. More or less the TTTS diagnose.

My audiologist thinks i 'might' have TTTS (after a very short conversation). Is she right, is she wrong? I dunnow, it makes sense but there's possible interference from all my other problems too... I never had any LDL or inner ear test(only audiogram)... this makes it such a mess to threath this or make any certain statements like:

"Hyperacusis is caused by higher central gain in the auditory brain parts and 'always' effects both ears."

 

[Reinier]

My audiologist thinks i 'might' have TTTS (after a very short conversation). Is she right, is she wrong?

An audiologist is just that. I don't want to downplay audiologists, but she or he has a specialisation. So has an ENT.
If this bothers you an ENT should be able to provide you with an explanation what is causing the discomfort. (Although I like to say that after problems with my hearing started I have heard and read many times: that what exactly is wrong after NIHL and hearing in general is poorly understood. Yes we do know that cells/neurons in the cochlea are damaged.)

"Hyperacusis is caused by higher central gain in the auditory brain parts and 'always' effects both ears."

I experience hyperacusis without the pain.
My understanding of hyperacusis is that the haircells that are part of the gain regulating process in the cochlea are not functioning any more. Therefore gain for the damaged frequencies are at maximum. Depending on which frequency has been effected/damaged you will experience discomfort in that frequency region or frequencies close to this frequency.
I have read this in different documents and this makes sense in my situation/experience.
What also makes sense to me is that the brain wants to down regulate both ears when high sound levels only enter one ear.

And don't under estimate the anxiety process.

 

[AnxiousJon]

I have Myoclonus in one ear only. Having a fan on at night and always sleeping on my side with that ear up in the air being exposed to the fan. It started as loud tinnitus and hyperacusis for 3 months. The symptoms were helped by a bioflavonoid/hesperidine/rutin complex(mere bioflavonoids didn't do nearly as much). Then the phantom sounds and myoclonus started up, and the hissing tinnitus and hyperacusis faded away to very low/none. Now after a month of that, the phantom sounds have faded and only the myoclonus is left with occasional change of my myoclonus to fit the rhythm of some rhythmic sound I hear(my ear pulsating for 30 hours to the rhythm of the frieght truck idling next door for example/slowly fades back to a standard constant movement) in a percussive form, not tonal. Also occasional tonal phantom sounds, but they tend to be light and wear off quickly, especially since I've been identifying which types of sounds try to "stick to my ear", and I leave the room or turn the device off(whatever it is). All this took place without any activity in the other ear.
@Yo-Han Oh, yeah, I am also a chronic intense anxiety/insomnia/adrenal burnout case. My health has kinda busted in many ways. I've only recently been treated for the anxiety and sleeplessness(Paxil/day and Colonazepam/night). Other than the myoclonus, I feel better than I have my entire life. 'So strange not feeling the cloud of doom over my head, and very strange sleeping like a normal person.

 

[Reinier]

I have Myoclonus in one ear only.

I sometimes experience the same in both ears. But only after my NIHL. I can feel and hear my eardrums being moved by (what I assume) the small muscles.

 

[PaulBe]

I also have all of the above, in one ear only. So many people describing these things, and its not that hard to discern common (researchable) characteristics out of these diverse descriptions. We are clearly describing a defined physical pathology, not a psychological phenomenon, although the psychology certainly makes itself part of it.

Thanks for your all help though Medicine. I'm sure we'll get used to it, like you said.

 

[AnxiousJon]

I also have all of the above, in one ear only. So many people describing these things, and its not that hard to discern common (researchable) characteristics out of these diverse descriptions. We are clearly describing a defined physical pathology, not a psychological phenomenon, although the psychology certainly makes itself part of it.

Not to be a nuisance, but if I could split hairs and refine it a bit more:
"A neurological pathology among those sharing a similar preexisting psychological pathology"
How does that sound? Among those who have tinnitus which is not caused by acoustic trauma, but rather more purely neuropathy, there is a high ratio of those with similar preexisting psychological pathology(which is typically caused, in part, by a chemical imbalance). I was just commenting in another thread, that at least this is what I am noticing... Also, in those who are successful in treatment--that they solved the chemical, and the broader psychological problems, before the tinnitus improved.

 

[wishingluck]

What does this mean, uncomfortable but not painful? You said they're harsher. Don't you think you'd classify it as a painful situation if you felt all noises like you do those few loud noises, like I do? Its a vibration, a flutter, a spasm, sure its not break my leg bad but if all sounds provoke it it would be hell don't you think?

I agree. Psychologically it's painful. Physically I feel no pain, but it's uncomfortable. Then again I think I have an high threshold to pain. I have smashed all my front teeth, got punched in the face many times because of martial arts, got repeatedly injections in my gums, etc.

But yeah, it's a very difficult situation. My hyperacusis is random, the sensitivity changes, some days it's really bad and some days it's almost null. Does yours changes too?

 

[wishingluck]

central nerve irritability

what is it? I googled but found nothing

 

[wishingluck]

I have simular experiences. My worst ear is my left (T and H wise). I have to say that i have TMJ and neck problems too. The left side is the worst for both conditions. I do feel the right side too and have T and H there also, but not as bad.

But if i plug my left ear only, i still hear many things to loud or oncomfrtably loud causing pressure or fluttering or mild pressure like dull pain (hardly sharp pain, very occasionally this happens and last only a few seconds)

My T can even spike with earplugs in from a distant sound that simply 'sartles' me. But so can it spike from certain neck and jaw movements, pressure change like feelings in my jaw/head can cause short fleeting bursts


-Muscle spasms: jaw and neck muscles pull on ETD controlling muscles (tensor veli palatini) ?
-ETD (eustachian tube disorder): when i swallow a clicking of the tube opening and closing is worse then it used to be, and will go TRRRTRRTT and be mor spastic on real bad days) ?
-Enervated overactive 5th or 7th facial nerve ? (nerves that control tensor tympani and stapedius muscle) Crossover excitation to 8th hearing nerve?
-My mild(-50Db) hearing loss at 4Khz from my younger DJ and hobby musician years are now showing their ugly face due my other symptoms?
-Long term anxiety and stres symptoms, stuck in fight or flight, adrenal fatigue/ burnout?


I'm a candidate for all of these ...
Yeah sometimes you think you get it (T and H)... and you don't the next day.

Lots of symptoms in common with you:

- I have developed a click in TMJ after stretching mouth open forcefully in a visit to dentist.

- I have a long history of chronic fatigue

- the inside of the ear (the one with hyperacusis) clicks when I swallow. The other one doesn't do that.

 

[PaulBe]

My hyperacusis is random, the sensitivity changes, some days it's really bad and some days it's almost null. Does yours changes too?

That's the same for me. Also the click on the affected side when I swallow. When my hyperacusis is bad I can press hard on the tragus of my outer ear, and everything inside clicks, snaps and crunches. When its not there this doesn't happen. The same thing just doesn't occur with my good ear no matter how hard I press. I suspect myoclonus affecting middle-ear ventilation somehow.

 

[Yo-Han]

@wishingluck

what is it? I googled but found nothing

You might want to look for "central gain in the auditory system"

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25386157


@AnxiousJon

Been living with general anxiety disorder for 20 years now. I know the feeling of dread when theres' no need for it. I'm on xanax XR 0.5mg for the last 15 years and i've learned to live with GAD and hardly take any extra's when feeling more distressed by my anxiety.

The added anxiety H caused this year has been something on a complete whole new level for me. More of a real physical thread (like being in a war zone and constantly at higher alert) I'm working on this, but it's not easy...

@Reinier

I am more sensitive at 4Khz due to my hearing loss there. But since i got H the hardest sounds for me are low bas rumbles (stationary cars and trucks etc) and impact sounds. Slamming doors, things that move air. I'm very sensitive to vibrations too at bad days. Like my whole body becomes hyper sensitive to vibration.

My musicians ear plugs or even the foams don't stop these low ones as easely due bone conduction. The impact sounds have this rumbling trembling effect on my ears. While too loud sound in genaral causes extra anxiety and distress wich will give me cramps near the jaw/ear region during or a short while after. Phonofobia mixed with myoclonous, who knows... Before i got H i never 'hated' so many sounds cause they did nothing to me.

 

[wishingluck]

When my hyperacusis is bad I can press hard on the tragus of my outer ear, and everything inside clicks, snaps and crunches. When its not there this doesn't happen. The same thing just doesn't occur with my good ear no matter how hard I press.

EXACTLY the same for me

 

[wishingluck]

That's the same for me. Also the click on the affected side when I swallow. When my hyperacusis is bad I can press hard on the tragus of my outer ear, and everything inside clicks, snaps and crunches. When its not there this doesn't happen. The same thing just doesn't occur with my good ear no matter how hard I press. I suspect myoclonus affecting middle-ear ventilation somehow.

today I actually found out that I did not THINK the fluttering was there in both ears, but I tried to mess around with the tragus, almost like scratching it hard, and I could feel both ears reacting and 'fluttering'.

I don't know if this was there before the T onset, in other words it might be normal? Just deluding myself...

 

[japongus]

An audiologist is just that. I don't want to downplay audiologists, but she or he has a specialisation. So has an ENT.
If this bothers you an ENT should be able to provide you with an explanation what is causing the discomfort. (Although I like to say that after problems with my hearing started I have heard and read many times: that what exactly is wrong after NIHL and hearing in general is poorly understood. Yes we do know that cells/neurons in the cochlea are damaged.)


I experience hyperacusis without the pain.
My understanding of hyperacusis is that the haircells that are part of the gain regulating process in the cochlea are not functioning any more. Therefore gain for the damaged frequencies are at maximum. Depending on which frequency has been effected/damaged you will experience discomfort in that frequency region or frequencies close to this frequency.
I have read this in different documents and this makes sense in my situation/experience.
What also makes sense to me is that the brain wants to down regulate both ears when high sound levels only enter one ear.

And don't under estimate the anxiety process.

If the ''hyperacusis'' is cochlea hair nerves that aren't working properly why

1. does it not show up in an EcochG?
2. why do studies and testimonies of people with middle ear myoclonus also report ''subjective hyperacusis''?

Not to mention, why on earth would we want to bring a shrink into the room? Jastreboff claims to solve both this frequency dependent cochlea dysfunction and the tensed up veli palatini or whatever it is that is MEM, which is so ambitious it's hilarious.

 

[AnxiousJon]

2. why do studies and testimonies of people with middle ear myoclonus also report ''subjective hyperacusis''?

I did not know this; this is helpful/comforting.

 

[japongus]

I agree. Psychologically it's painful. Physically I feel no pain, but it's uncomfortable. Then again I think I have an high threshold to pain. I have smashed all my front teeth, got punched in the face many times because of martial arts, got repeatedly injections in my gums, etc.

But yeah, it's a very difficult situation. My hyperacusis is random, the sensitivity changes, some days it's really bad and some days it's almost null. Does yours changes too?

Mine is permanent. At the same time that the rumbling became permanent, so did the threshold for this moderately painful flutter drop down to every sound impact shift. If you had it, you'd probably tough it out a few days or months and then finally settle to the realization that, despite not being a sharp brutal martial arts pain, its way worse because sound is all around us. Say a dog barks 1000 times a day, having your membrane flutter 1000 times a day would be intolerable, not to mention having to put up with cognitive behavioral shrinks throw the book at you...

There are two possibilities, either its the unreachable cochlea and the nerves of the brain and all those sloppy studies are right and the lightened up parts of the brain are were pain resides, or its a myoclonus of the middle ear that tenses up a muscle in the area and, whether or not its cortical in origin, those lightened up areas of the brain shown in reports are merely responding to the flutter and pain.

 

[japongus]

I did not know this; this is helpful/comforting.

Not all of them do, some do. There's evidence pointing both ways.

 

[PaulBe]

There are two possibilities, either its the unreachable cochlea and the nerves of the brain and all those sloppy studies are right and the lightened up parts of the brain are were pain resides, or its a myoclonus of the middle ear that tenses up a muscle in the area and, whether or not its cortical in origin, those lightened up areas of the brain shown in reports are merely responding to the flutter and pain.

That's it isn't it. At risk of dredging up my favourite analogy again, would you target pain receptors in the brain to treat angina, or would you go directly for the cause. I think lots of tinnitus and the little corner of hyperacusis research that goes on confuses cause and effect.