Tympanometry Damaged Good Ear?

[SleeplessSoul]

I had hearing tests with tympanometry and the other acoustic reflex testing Wednesday morning and now my good ear which never had any weird sensations feels pressure/full and like it's vibrating or is developing a sound.

Can these tests cause damage?

She was holding the thing in because my ear canal is small and it kept popping out and then she kept fitting it with a larger one. It was uncomfortable but I didn't think it would harm me.

I wish I hadn't gotten the test but I had to since I had a minor outer ear canal irritation the week before and put the Neomycin drops in for a few days and then stopped because the tinnitus spiked in my bad ear.

Now here it is 3 am and I am so panicked that now my one beautiful ear has been messed up for good.

Anyone? Please advise. Thank you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I have had numerous hearing tests including the tympanometry test and haven't had any problems. The Audiologists that preform theses tests are professionals and it's something they do regularly. I don't think they would be inept in any way. Of course mistakes can happen but I hope not in your case. Hopefully, your symptoms will clear up soon.

All the best,
Michael

 

[SleeplessSoul]

I've had her before and she is a little rough when pulling on the ear and putting the instruments in the ear.

She works for Mass Eye and Ear and I suspect if I called them today and told them I had ringing and pressure in that ear now, the doctor would say "I told you that your TMJ causes pressure and fullness in your ear"
When I asked the dr the doctor the other day if tmj can cause a spike In T, she said no.

I'm confused and upset thinking that the noise or the pressure exerted did something.

I'm still worried as it rang all night and it's sore. Like I said, this ear never had any symptoms until this week.

 

[volsung37]

Both times I had tympanometry I developed twitches in my inner ear causing a thudding sound. This could last off and on for 3 months after the process. Ears are very delicate instruments. I wouldn't have one done again.

 

[SleeplessSoul]

I thought so @volsung37. This is my concern.

I feel like the sounds were loud and the pressure was too much.

This seems like it won't go away. It hasn't t stopped at all since yesterday.
My bad ear always screeches and now this from a test?

@Michael Leigh thought not, but in another post by @Michael Leigh , you said T Or H usually doesn't get worse on its own unless you were exposed to loud noise or wearing headphones ( both of which happened during the test).

@Michael Leigh can you please clarify for me? I'm sick over this.

Sleepless (even more so now than ever ).

 

[Michael Leigh]

I've had her before and she is a little rough when pulling on the ear and putting the instruments in the ear.

@Michael Leigh thought not, but in another post by @Michael Leigh , you said T Or H usually doesn't get worse on its own unless you were exposed to loud noise or wearing headphones ( both of which happened during the test).

@SleeplessSoul

My tinnitus is variable from silent to very severe. As previously said, I have had numerous hearing tests with tympanometry without problems. The audio tones through the headphones never bothered me and I don't think would cause any damage as it's not like playing music. The Tympanometry test is a different thing. You are now saying, the person that did the procedure you felt was: "a little rough and pulling on your ear. Also, when putting the "small plastic bung" which rests in the ear to seal it". Pressure is then applied whilst the test is performed.

If the person carrying out the test was a little rough as you say and perhaps a little hasty, then it's possible this could cause you some discomfort and I hope no long term problems. @volsung37 is absolutely right. The ear is a very delicate and sophisticated organ and should be treated with care. Unfortunately SleeplessSoul, negligence can be extremely difficult to prove against the medical profession and I'm sure you know this.

Regarding my comments on Tinnitus and Hyperacusis. If a person has tinnitus, especially if it is intrusive and uses headphones to listen to music, then I believe they are taking a risk as the tinnitus can be made worse even when the music is played at low volume. It is true, not everyone will be adversely affected. However, why anyone would want to take such a risk I haven't the faintest idea. Many people have contacted me by telephone and email complaining that their tinnitus got worse due to listening to music through headphones even when the volume was kept low. This may not be noticeable immediately but over time it is possible. The same applies if hyperacusis is present.

Tinnitus and hyperacusis will usually get worse if a person throws caution to the wind and doesn't take measures to protect themselves. Examples of this is going to clubs, gigs and other venues where loud music is played and not using noise-reducing earplugs. Even when wearing noise reducing earplugs, one still has to be careful of loud sounds. If surrounding sound is loud enough, it is able to penetrate/pass through the "Mastoid bone" which is the hard piece of bone behind each ear, and enter the inner ear and damage the "cochlear". The mastoid bone is honeycombed with air-pockets.

Michael

 

[SleeplessSoul]

@Michael Leigh

Thank you for your response.
They told me to come in right away so I'm here now.
You're right they won't admit anything.
And yes she was rough with that ear plug. Ugh. I hope it's not permanent.
I'll post after I see the doctor - thank you.

 

[SleeplessSoul]

The doctor did another audiogrsm without tympanometry or acoustic reflex and my hearing was the same as two days ago.
With that said, she did not brush me off but again reiterated muscle spasm component of tmj and neck possibly causing more symptoms.
@Michael Leigh , I do mask with the white noise app close to my head /ear at night and you said that listening with headphone even on low volume could aggravate T Or H.
I don't use any earbuds but do have the phone on low close to my "bad" ear as it's the only way to mask the high pitch. Is this bad?
One last thing, the doctor is ordering a special CT scan of the temporal bone to check for superior canal dehiscence. So she was thorough and honest about what may or may not be going on.
And lastly, of course the talk about stress being a big component since my daughter lost her hearing completely in her left ear three weeks ago and even though she was treated immediately with oral steroids and injections, she has had no improvement yet.
So I can't be ignorant and rule out stress or anxiety even though I think my lack of sleep is a major factor in this also.
@Michael Leigh thank you ever so kindly for taking the time out of your day to help me. I do appreciate that immensely.

 

[Tim Hogan]

Aha a kindred spirit!, i would argue these tests can 100% fuck up for ears, i had minor Tinnitus for a flu, went to get it check out at the ENT, standard tests including Tympanometry + Acoustic Reflex Test, i think the device was a 2 in 1.

The Acoustic Reflex Test was incredibly loud when, but i didn't speak out as they were "medical professionals".

As i got home all hell set loose and it went from a 2/10 to about a 8/10, and its been that way since June 2016, hasn't let up one bit.

I didnt realise it was a ART, and just a Tympanometry which to my understand are just low popping sounds where as ART fucking rape your ear drums. so alot of Doctors were confused when i told them it was due to a Tympanometry, soon as i figured out it was the ART, all i got back was a sorry and " its called a test for a reason, they are never 100% safe).

To be fair i haven't really bothered to see any other ENT or specialist since, i know enough about Tinnitus now to know nothing can be done about it.

So PLEASE if u get it sorted out, let me know because you are the only other person i know that this has happened to.

I dont know what yours sounds like after the test, but mine is dominantly in my left ear, and its like a sharp hiss sound that fluctuates around the place.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I do mask with the white noise app close to my head /ear at night and you said that listening with headphone even on low volume could aggravate T Or H.
I don't use any earbuds but do have the phone on low close to my "bad" ear as it's the only way to mask the high pitch. Is this bad?

@SleeplessSoul By the sound of things I think you have a good doctor and believe that she's correct that your TMJ could be responsible for the discomfort symptoms you are experiencing. Regarding "Masking Tinnitus". Tinnitus should not be totally masked so that it cannot be heard. If you do this your brain will never learn to habituate to the tinnitus. The correct way to use: white noise, sound enrichment or music for sound enrichment, it to set the level slightly below your tinnitus. In other words, make sure you can hear your tinnitus above the sound that you are using for sound enrichment.

Some people use headphones, sleephones or headbands with speakers fitted within them for night time use and play white noise or music through them to help cope with their tinnitus. The sound being played through these devices usually totally masks the tinnitus, which I've already mentioned isn't a good idea. I also feel there is a risk of making the tinnitus worse using these devices.
I believe the best method for using sound enrichment at night is to use a sound machine that plays nature sounds. Placed by the bedside and the volume set below the tinnitus. Some sound machines can be connected to a pillow speaker, again, the volume should be set to just below the tinnitus.

You might find my post below helpful, titled: Should I mask my tinnitus.
All the best
Michael

Should I mask my tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a complex condition and if hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound) is present it is even more. Many newbies have difficulty coping with tinnitus and understandably, getting rid of this constant intruder, that has suddenly invaded their life becomes paramount on their mind. In an attempt to do this, they will usually try every means possible to distract themselves from the tinnitus which will include masking it completely with another sound so that it can't be heard.

However, tinnitus is quite resilient, any attempts to mask it completely are usually unsuccessful. As soon as the masking sound is removed or stopped temporarily, the brain will immediately focus back on it and often, it appears to be louder and more intrusive. This causes stress especially for someone new to tinnitus. For anyone that doesn't know, the more stressed we are the tinnitus becomes more intrusive, and the louder the tinnitus is the more stressed we are. It can become a vicious circle.

Anyone that is seasoned to tinnitus and has habituated, knows that trying to mask it completely so that it can't be heard is not achievable. A much better way and preferred method that Hearing Therapists advise tinnitus patients, is to use sound enrichment. One can use music or nature sounds from a sound machine and set the volume slightly below the tinnitus. By doing this, the brain over time will learn to no longer see the tinnitus as a threat and gradually push the noise further into the background giving it less importance, which is called habituation.

In-ear or BTE (behind the ear) white noise generators can also be used as part of TRT. They do a similar thing. By setting the volume slightly below the tinnitus, over time the brain habituates to the white noise and gradually pushes the tinnitus further into the background.

Michael

PS: I believe anyone that has tinnitus, especially when it was caused by loud noise exposure, it is not a good idea to use headphones, even at low volume to play music or white noise for sound enrichment.

 

[Sam Bridge]

Whats an acoustic reflex test? Similar to a normal hearing test??

 

[Kazue]

Whats an acoustic reflex test? Similar to a normal hearing test??

Nope. This is to check and see how much fluid is behind the eardrum. The ear piece seals the ear off and blows pressure at the eardrum. If the eardrum vibrates then it's not a lot of fluid in it. If the eardrum does not vibrate then there is some fluid. Just a test to do process of elimination.

 

[SleeplessSoul]

I can't explain what the test is but it may measure the eardrum pressure or something.
It's air and sounds pushed into the ear with an ear bud. Uncomfortable and loud.
I refused to do it again. I am afraid it did more harm than good. But I can't be sure.
A spike had began last week using the neomycin drops for five days then when I went back for a hearing test, my right ear which was always quiet started acting like the crappy side.
I need hope that this long two week elevation in loudness will subside eventually but I don't know if this is common with T or this change indicates a permanent change for me. Does anyone know if this is a spike or some morphing of the condition???
Having this happens throws me right back emotionally to how I felt when I first got T. Panicked, scared and depressed. It's a bad feeling.
I had been either habituated to this before or the volume had actually gone down. I don't know the difference really-since a lot of what I hear on this forum is that T is mostly about perception.
Help!

 

[Sam Bridge]

Nope. This is to check and see how much fluid is behind the eardrum. The ear piece seals the ear off and blows pressure at the eardrum. If the eardrum vibrates then it's not a lot of fluid in it. If the eardrum does not vibrate then there is some fluid. Just a test to do process of elimination.

Oh i had that done at an ENT last year, didn't have any effect on T.

 

[SleeplessSoul]

I have talked to my doctor again today and told her that I firmly believe that the acoustic reflex test and tympanometry tests ruined my right ear.
It's still a deafening white noise with fullness. She says that maybe the audiologist was tough on me and that I may have some spasm or something ( I was too upset to remember everything she said) but didn't have any more hearing loss than the test two days before.

I'm so upset listening to this good ear now effed up and can't come to terms with it.

All the dr can say is don't focus or listen for it. I've already been though this once on my other ear due to who knows what. Overuse of earplugs?

And now permanent damage from a test? Very discouraging. And loud. And hard to ask two separate ears.
God help me now. How would you go about coming to terms with damage caused by negligence?

Please help me. And I don't mean I am going after the audiologist. It would be too hard to prove but how can I come to terms with someone messing up my one good ear? Some words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Ps I know of another person here who had the same thing happen to him and he is in a bad way from the post I just read from him.

Someone have words of how I can accept the fact that she was too rough on me and it's now a part of my nightmare?

 

[AmericanJosh]

I have talked to my doctor again today and told her that I firmly believe that the acoustic reflex test and tympanometry tests ruined my right ear.
It's still a deafening white noise with fullness. She says that maybe the audiologist was tough on me and that I may have some spasm or something ( I was too upset to remember everything she said) but didn't have any more hearing loss than the test two days before.

I'm so upset listening to this good ear now effed up and can't come to terms with it.

All the dr can say is don't focus or listen for it. I've already been though this once on my other ear due to who knows what. Overuse of earplugs?

And now permanent damage from a test? Very discouraging. And loud. And hard to ask two separate ears.
God help me now. How would you go about coming to terms with damage caused by negligence?

Please help me. And I don't mean I am going after the audiologist. It would be too hard to prove but how can I come to terms with someone messing up my one good ear? Some words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Ps I know of another person here who had the same thing happen to him and he is in a bad way from the post I just read from him.

Someone have words of how I can accept the fact that she was too rough on me and it's now a part of my nightmare?

How are you doing now in 2018?

 

[dpdx]

How are you doing now in 2018?

I want to know too

 

[SleeplessSoul]

That ear finally recovered. I still have tinnitus but not the way it was after that test.

I got fullness and pressure in my other ear suddenly from I don't know what. I don't dare have those tests though.

 

[kingsfan]

My good ear has been a hellscape ever since I had an acoustic reflex test 1.5 years ago. Another audiologist I saw after confirmed the test should not be done on someone with tinnitus.

 

[LiamW]

That ear finally recovered. I still have tinnitus but not the way it was after that test.

I got fullness and pressure in my other ear suddenly from I don't know what. I don't dare have those tests though.

Did your fullness and pressure eventually go away? I have all the exact same problems you have after the Tympanometry and Acoustic Reflex Thresholds test.