Is This Tinnitus?

[E.A.G.]

I'm new here and trying to figure out what's going on with my left ear. It will be a few days before I can get into the doctor's office (if something can go wrong, it'll be on a holiday weekend!). A few hours ago I noticed that my left ear felt plugged (like water in ear, but it hasn't been exposed to water for a few days) and when I vocalize (talk, sing, hum) I hear a high pitched whining in my left ear. As soon as I stop vocalizing, the high pitched sound stops but the plugged feeling remains. I've Googled these symptoms but couldn't find anything. Any ideas?

 

[Crake]

If you only hear it when you talk, it doesn't sound like true tinnitus. Though it does sound weird and I'm no expert.

The plugged feeling could be congestion, or it could be sudden sensorineural hearing loss (is it just a weird sensation, or is there noticeable hearing loss?), in which case you only a have a few days in which prednisone or another prescription steroid has any chance of helping prevent it from becoming permanent.

I suggest you go to a doctor immediately if there's actual noticable volume difference. Even if just to play it safe.

 

[glynis]

E.A.G,
Yo could try steam inhalation with a towel and bowl of hot water twice a day for two days and a mucous linctus to try clear your tubes and should help you......lots of love glynis ( try not to panic as it won't help and feeds tinnitus,your sound has every chance of going x )

 

[E.A.G.]

Thank you both for your replies. When I first posted, I was only hearing the high pitched whine when vocalizing. Later I noticed it also happened when someone in the household coughed or talked loudly near me. When I went to bed that night, I realized I could still hear the whine (without vocalizing) though not as loud as when vocalizing, so it is constant and aggravated by talking or noise. I have an appointment with the doc today. We shall see.

 

[Mad maggot]

What happened at the docs?

 

[E.A.G.]

Saw the doc on Tuesday. He looked into my ears and said they looked fine. He's assuming tinnitus and/or a eustachian tube problem (due to the plugged feeling in my left ear, which could be sinus related) and is referring me to an audiologist and ENT, but the soonest appointment is November. He said he'd try to pull some strings to get me in sooner, but in the meantime he's given me instructions for dealing with both possible problems. Symptoms have not gotten any worse, but if they do I have options that I will exercise (flying to a specialist 200 miles away).

 

[glynis]

Glad to hear you have seen your doctor and referring you to ENT and audiology and not got any worse...lots of love glynis