Perforation of ear, distortion, sensitivity to loud sounds, please help me.

[Corksil]

Hello all, my name is Cory and I am 18. I am male and for some time now (past few years maybe) I have been experienceing some form of distortion and fuzziness in my left ear. When I hear a sound, it sounds fine up to a certain point, when my left ear just seems to distort (the way a speaker with too much volume distorts) and everything gets really fuzzy and sounds like it's buzzing. It's difficult to describe, and it has been irritating me for some time. I am purchasing a nice car audio sound system soon, and if there is a problem with my hearing, I would like it sorted out before so I can fully enjoy my stereo.

When I was younger, I understand I had quite a few ear infections. Does anyone have any ideas on what might be wrong with my left ear?  I would greatly appreciate any help on the matter. I take my hearing very very seriously, and I listen to music at very low volumes, and wear earplugs the entire time I am at work. (Construction/ job-site) Thank you all so very much.

[lawrenn]

How long have the optic distortions been going on?  My dad is going on a month almost. It seemed to be better, but loud music distorts still.

[STEF_en1976]

Could you have had an ear infection without knowing it? Not all ear infections have the obvious symptoms of Fever and Pain. I'm not quite sure how mine started. I wish I could go back to the point before it started and do something preventive but at least I don't have what I called the psudo-tinnitus anymore and I couldn't imagine having real tinnitus. I'm hoping otic distortions that are caused by ear infections clear up.

[lawrenn]

Did you try decongestants?  My dad is trying that now and thinks the ear is better. He still hears pitch distortions with loud music though. I think it has been going on about a month. He has been to an audiologist, then will see the ENT next month. Was the MRI just to check out everything or did you request it yourself?

[murray641]

Just read your post about worrying about it..

My consultant booked my MRI in mid Dec, and I went for it on the 29th Dec.. (yes.. Merry Christmas!)

I got my results the second week in January.

The time between - I was awake until 2-3am every night, listening to my ear (if thats poss!).. I was SO worried about it, my symtoms were getting worse.

The SAME day I got my results - that night, the tinitus had gone, and the distortion improved so much!

Today, a few months later I rarely notice any distortion. If I hear loud banging or noises - it goes right thru me, but I tend to were protection when I'm working in a noisy environment.

The BEST and only cure for me, was the reassurance of NOT having said brain tumor!! Get an MRI - INSIST on an MRI - if anything, to put your mind at rest!

Thanks  

[murray641]

Hey, (it is Murray641)

So thought I'd drop a wee update.. (please see previous post)

Went to doctors, refered to ENT 3 months later. Went to ENT, hearing test results showed a very slight dip in one ear.. Was told to come back in 3 months. Things had got very slightly better with the distorsion, but the tinitus had gotten worse.
Sent for an MRI scan, which showed nothing. 6 months on, and I hardly notice it now.. I have a slight hollow sound, and still can not tollorate loud noises (being a joiner - this can be a problem), but the prognosis is pressure damage - likely from my nail gun.

By the way - I used to smoke a lot of grass, I also was a headphones gamer.. And I like milk. Just trying to perhaps add to a common link.

My consultant never understood what was wrong until I described it as a Reduced Tolorance to Sound - thats when I got sent for the MRI - nothing to worry about btw.. So cheer up. If there is any further developements, I'll be sure to let you know

[STEF_en1976]

Luckily your post didn't get deleted nor archived. I would have to say you're the President of this Otic distortion club. Btw I was wondering if you ever found a way to resolve your distortion so you can crank it up?