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How Can One Diagnose Ear Fullness, Tinnitus, Muffled Sounds, Dizziness And Occasional Mild Ear Pain?
Question: Hello!
I’ve been having ear issues since November of last year and I haven’t received a clear diagnosis. I’ve been to 5 ENT specialists and each one gave me a different guess. The following are my symptoms:
-Ear fullness (switches between left and right ear, but mainly in my right ear)
-Tinnitus
-Muffled sounds (and mild hearing loss according to my hearing test)
-Ear clicking
-Dizziness and de-realization (I feel like I’ve lost touch of reality)
-Occasional mild ear pain 4/10
I have been told all of the following:
-“You may have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction”
-“Your right septum isn’t straight, I think it’s from your nose”
-“Your hearing is pretty much normal, the ear fullness and tinnitus are probably because you clench your teeth at night”
-“You have sensorineural hearing loss”
I’m going go go crazy and I am in serious depression as a result. I can’t function because of all these symptoms and they hve been ongoing for 10 months.
I’ve been using nasal sprays for 4 months, just started a new stronger brand.
I was told to use the neti pot before, and I noticed something that might give you a better guess.
Whenever I use the neti pot, no matter how gently I blow my nose, there is this noisy almost-popping sensation in only my right ear, and my ear won’t pop for about an hour when I plug my nose and blow out, and even that only gives me about 5 seconds of relief. I also get a mild pain in my right ear when doing that.
Now mind you, my hearing seems normal to me as I have little-to-no trouble having conversations, however, my hearing is muffled and voices seem mumbly to me sometimes.
Please give me a guess of what this may be based on all this information as I’m going to pull my hair out.
I am travelling in two weeks and very worried that flight may cause further damage to my ears.
Thanks!
I’ve been having ear issues since November of last year and I haven’t received a clear diagnosis. I’ve been to 5 ENT specialists and each one gave me a different guess. The following are my symptoms:
-Ear fullness (switches between left and right ear, but mainly in my right ear)
-Tinnitus
-Muffled sounds (and mild hearing loss according to my hearing test)
-Ear clicking
-Dizziness and de-realization (I feel like I’ve lost touch of reality)
-Occasional mild ear pain 4/10
I have been told all of the following:
-“You may have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction”
-“Your right septum isn’t straight, I think it’s from your nose”
-“Your hearing is pretty much normal, the ear fullness and tinnitus are probably because you clench your teeth at night”
-“You have sensorineural hearing loss”
I’m going go go crazy and I am in serious depression as a result. I can’t function because of all these symptoms and they hve been ongoing for 10 months.
I’ve been using nasal sprays for 4 months, just started a new stronger brand.
I was told to use the neti pot before, and I noticed something that might give you a better guess.
Whenever I use the neti pot, no matter how gently I blow my nose, there is this noisy almost-popping sensation in only my right ear, and my ear won’t pop for about an hour when I plug my nose and blow out, and even that only gives me about 5 seconds of relief. I also get a mild pain in my right ear when doing that.
Now mind you, my hearing seems normal to me as I have little-to-no trouble having conversations, however, my hearing is muffled and voices seem mumbly to me sometimes.
Please give me a guess of what this may be based on all this information as I’m going to pull my hair out.
I am travelling in two weeks and very worried that flight may cause further damage to my ears.
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Please provide additional information
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I can certainly understand your concern and have worked through your attached query in detail.
Before guiding you further I would like to know the following
1. Please specify your age and gender?
2. Have you taken tests like Pure tone audiometry or HRCT SCAN OF PARANASAL SINUSES? If yes, kindly upload these test reports, as these tests give a measure of hearing loss and identification of Septal deviation of nose.
3. Have you taken any medication? If yes, kindly specify the list of medications.
4. Any associated medical comorbid conditions like Diabetes, hypertension or Thyroid issues?
Once I receive your answers I will guide you thoroughly.
Thank you
Please provide additional information
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I can certainly understand your concern and have worked through your attached query in detail.
Before guiding you further I would like to know the following
1. Please specify your age and gender?
2. Have you taken tests like Pure tone audiometry or HRCT SCAN OF PARANASAL SINUSES? If yes, kindly upload these test reports, as these tests give a measure of hearing loss and identification of Septal deviation of nose.
3. Have you taken any medication? If yes, kindly specify the list of medications.
4. Any associated medical comorbid conditions like Diabetes, hypertension or Thyroid issues?
Once I receive your answers I will guide you thoroughly.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi!
1- I am 24 and female
2- I’ve only had an MRI scan (came our normal), an inner ear test (came out normal) and a hearing test which showed mild hearing loss in both ears, but much more in the right.
3- I’ve taken Apo-Mometasone and oral steroids back in January
4-no I don’t
Also, I do have a septal deviation of my nose.
The doctor told me my right septum isn’t straight, and that it can only cause poor breathing (but my breathing is fine). My only problem is my ears.
Thanks!
1- I am 24 and female
2- I’ve only had an MRI scan (came our normal), an inner ear test (came out normal) and a hearing test which showed mild hearing loss in both ears, but much more in the right.
3- I’ve taken Apo-Mometasone and oral steroids back in January
4-no I don’t
Also, I do have a septal deviation of my nose.
The doctor told me my right septum isn’t straight, and that it can only cause poor breathing (but my breathing is fine). My only problem is my ears.
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
HRCT SCAN of paranasal sinuses is required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The ear symptoms which you are experiencing could be related to septal deviation of nose. It's important to assess its severity by taking HRCT scan of paranasal sinuses as well.
HRCT SCAN stands for High resolution CT scan.
Because of deviated septum to right, the right ear is not properly aerated. This might cause disturbances and ear locking.
Likewise several communications exist between the ear, nose and throat.
Regular intake of steroids is not healthy.
The type of hearing loss in your case is possibly conductive deafness due to ear lock secondary to eustachian tube dysfunction which can occur in septal deviation.
Get this test at the earliest and review with reports to determine further course of action. The predominant intervention in septal deviation of nose or paranasal sinusitis is surgical.
Post your further questions if any.
Thank you
HRCT SCAN of paranasal sinuses is required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The ear symptoms which you are experiencing could be related to septal deviation of nose. It's important to assess its severity by taking HRCT scan of paranasal sinuses as well.
HRCT SCAN stands for High resolution CT scan.
Because of deviated septum to right, the right ear is not properly aerated. This might cause disturbances and ear locking.
Likewise several communications exist between the ear, nose and throat.
Regular intake of steroids is not healthy.
The type of hearing loss in your case is possibly conductive deafness due to ear lock secondary to eustachian tube dysfunction which can occur in septal deviation.
Get this test at the earliest and review with reports to determine further course of action. The predominant intervention in septal deviation of nose or paranasal sinusitis is surgical.
Post your further questions if any.
Thank you
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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