When I Talk Too Loud, I Hear a Thump in My Ear — What Causes That?

[L corleone]

Hello,

My tinnitus was on and off for years, then became very prominent and distracting at the beginning of this year.

Recently, every time I talk louder than a certain pitch, I hear a thump in my left ear. I'm 99% sure that I have TMJ because of SmileDirectClub. I have an appointment with my dentist at the end of the month to hopefully realign my jaw, and discuss a treatment plan. I listen to music loud, but I had an audiology test done and my hearing is fine. (I'm aware loud music doesn't help tinnitus).

I have been DREADING any social situation because I know if I can't talk softly, I'll hear the sound.

Does anyone have any idea what this would be from? I have done a lot of reading up on tinnitus and I have never seen someone describe that their voice creates a thump in the ear. I'm scared that since it's gotten so bad this week alone, that something really bad is going to happen. I'm only 21 and too young to be dreading social situations.

Any advice, experiences, explanations I appreciate. Thank you everyone.

 

[Tweedleman]

Hey, welcome

Sounds like your thumping noise is TTTS (tonic tensor tympani syndrome). I've got it after hearing damage from a stupidly loud concert.

I listen to music loud, but I had an audiology test done and my hearing is fine. (I'm aware loud music doesn't help tinnitus)

I would seriously start to turn down the volume. Tinnitus and TTTS are both signs of hearing damage, even miniscule amounts. Damage is cumulitive, so every time you expose yourself to loud music/noise (80+dB) you weaken the delicate structures in the inner ear until one day they break, permanently. You should take these symptoms you're experiencing as huge red flags. Believe me, I ignored the signs and now my auditory system is mangled.

Just because the Audiologist says you're hearing is fine, doesn't mean much. Audiologists are glorified hearing aid salesmen. All they can do is sell you a hearing aid if your thresholds are bad enough to warrant amplification. Look into "hidden hearing loss," it's possible to do tons of damage without having it reflect on your hearing test (audiogram). What you need to understand is that, unfortunately we are still in the dark ages when it comes to the inner ear. The audiogram is a 70 year old test that is limited, all it measures is your ability to hear beeps in a soundproof room. It can't evaluate your hearing in complex dynamic environemnts, or with speech in noise. I have a normal audiogram but my hearing is far from normal.

There are many hearing issues/disorders that can crop up with cochlear damage that the Audiologists and ENTs wont even be able to diagnose. We don't yet have the testing to do so. Very little research has been done in this field, and things like TTTS and hyperacusis still haven't really been naturalized into medical practice. Just finding a doctor with a competent understanding of tinnitus is a battle.

Trust me, you don't want to go down the road of hearing damage. You'll be stuck in no-mans land until regenerative medicine comes out.

 

[L corleone]

Thank you for your reply. You definitely made me reconsider bumping music and going to concerts. If I have TTTS from TMJ, do you think it will get better when my jaw gets realigned? Also, do ear plugs help with TTTS if I want to continue going to shows?

 

[Tweedleman]

Thank you for your reply. You definitely made me reconsider bumping music and going to concerts. If I have TTTS from TMJ, do you think it will get better when my jaw gets realigned? Also, do ear plugs help with TTTS if I want to continue going to shows?

Not sure about the TMJ but I suppose if it's actually the cause, then sure. And yes, if you're going to a loud event of any kind wear earplugs.

 

[L corleone]

I'm a 21 yo female, who is done. I'm not trying to be like "weh, feel bad for me" I just need to get things off my chest. I have suspected TMJD, I am going to have my jaw looked at in a few weeks. My TMJD gave me tinnitus. I also played music loud in the car as a young teen which probably added to my tinnitus as well. The ringing in my ears keeps getting louder and louder. The WORST part about all of this is that the sound of my own voice creates a "thump" in my ear. For example, if I said "I want a sandwich," I will hear "thump thump thump thump thump" along with the syllables of the sentence I say.

That is a result of TTTS, I believe. When it was just ringing that was one thing. But now the fact that I have to cringe at the sound of my own voice is devastating and really making me want to give up on life. Ive heard that TMJD can cause permanent tinnitus even after you get your jaw fixed. I have an impacted wisdom tooth which I understand probably isn't helping but I really can't afford to get it out. I don't know what to think or do, so I guess anything you guys have to say is helpful.