The entire ordeal began in early November 2023 when I inhaled hot water vapors infused with Himalayan salt. I've been grappling with respiratory issues for several years due to my job, which exposed me to tens of thousands of chemicals.
I came across information suggesting that salt is beneficial for the lungs and airways, and though there are salt inhalers available, they come with a hefty price tag. Consequently, I conceived the idea of boiling water with Himalayan salt in a pot and inhaling the vapors, dedicating an hour to this routine every day of the week.
One day, for just a few minutes, I tilted my head over the steam, allowing it to enter my ears, thinking it wouldn't be harmful. However, after that week, I sensed something was awry. Discomfort lingered in my head while driving, prompting me to cover my ears due to the deafening noise of the car's engine. This proved challenging in my role as a taxi driver. In a misguided attempt to alleviate the issue, I used earplugs while driving for two days, exacerbating the problems.
Subsequently, I developed tinnitus in both ears, a persistent condition characterized by a rumble in the left ear and a high pitch in the right ear. Additionally, I became highly sensitive to sounds.
Speaking hurt my ears, and even gently closing a kitchen hatch would trigger a booming sound in my ears. Over these three months, there were occasional improvements, only to be followed by setbacks, particularly when sitting in front of the computer and listening to music at a normal volume.
Despite scouring the internet, I haven't found anyone who experienced tinnitus or sound sensitivity due to hot water vapor in their ears. Consultations with an ear specialist have yielded no recognition of the condition. However, in hindsight, it seems logical to me; holding a hand above a pot of boiling water results in burning and intense pain. Thus, it's conceivable that the delicate structures of the inner ear could be easily damaged by such vapors, a fate I suspect has befallen me. Now, my only hope is that the damage will heal with time, but I am prepared for the possibility of permanent hearing damage.
I came across information suggesting that salt is beneficial for the lungs and airways, and though there are salt inhalers available, they come with a hefty price tag. Consequently, I conceived the idea of boiling water with Himalayan salt in a pot and inhaling the vapors, dedicating an hour to this routine every day of the week.
One day, for just a few minutes, I tilted my head over the steam, allowing it to enter my ears, thinking it wouldn't be harmful. However, after that week, I sensed something was awry. Discomfort lingered in my head while driving, prompting me to cover my ears due to the deafening noise of the car's engine. This proved challenging in my role as a taxi driver. In a misguided attempt to alleviate the issue, I used earplugs while driving for two days, exacerbating the problems.
Subsequently, I developed tinnitus in both ears, a persistent condition characterized by a rumble in the left ear and a high pitch in the right ear. Additionally, I became highly sensitive to sounds.
Speaking hurt my ears, and even gently closing a kitchen hatch would trigger a booming sound in my ears. Over these three months, there were occasional improvements, only to be followed by setbacks, particularly when sitting in front of the computer and listening to music at a normal volume.
Despite scouring the internet, I haven't found anyone who experienced tinnitus or sound sensitivity due to hot water vapor in their ears. Consultations with an ear specialist have yielded no recognition of the condition. However, in hindsight, it seems logical to me; holding a hand above a pot of boiling water results in burning and intense pain. Thus, it's conceivable that the delicate structures of the inner ear could be easily damaged by such vapors, a fate I suspect has befallen me. Now, my only hope is that the damage will heal with time, but I am prepared for the possibility of permanent hearing damage.
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