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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Ear Problem
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Ear Problem
by Ltrain, Dec 02, 2003 12:00AM
I am having a problem in my right ear.
When there is noise like music or someone talking or the tv etc.. Everything in my right ear sounds as if it is slowed down and out of tune. I especially notice this with music. Also when someone is talking it sounds as if it is a digitized voice. Its hard to describe. Kind of like if the voice is made by a computer. Thats the best I can describe it. Also if I cough there is a loud bass noise in my right ear also. I have no hearing loss and can hear everything fine though.
By example I was plucking a string on my guitar and I coverd my right ear and listend to it with my left. It sounded normal. Then I covered my left ear and listened to it with my right and it sounded very out of tune and lower.
With human voices I notice this digitized sound if it a higher pitched voice. Like that of a women. This is very hard to explain so sorry for the rambling. This started about 5 days ago but was off and on didnt really notice it but yesterday is when it is always there.
I am currently taking paxil 25mg for anxiety and lorazepam .5mg 3 to 4 times a day for anxiety. Psychiatrist told me to take it 3-4 a day as opposed to only when I needed it for panic attacks that my PCP recommended.
I was trying to find out about certain hearing problems but all the ones I found I did not see any symptoms that matched mine.
I am worried that it might be Acoustic Neuroma or a brain tumor.
When there is noise like music or someone talking or the tv etc.. Everything in my right ear sounds as if it is slowed down and out of tune. I especially notice this with music. Also when someone is talking it sounds as if it is a digitized voice. Its hard to describe. Kind of like if the voice is made by a computer. Thats the best I can describe it. Also if I cough there is a loud bass noise in my right ear also. I have no hearing loss and can hear everything fine though.
By example I was plucking a string on my guitar and I coverd my right ear and listend to it with my left. It sounded normal. Then I covered my left ear and listened to it with my right and it sounded very out of tune and lower.
With human voices I notice this digitized sound if it a higher pitched voice. Like that of a women. This is very hard to explain so sorry for the rambling. This started about 5 days ago but was off and on didnt really notice it but yesterday is when it is always there.
I am currently taking paxil 25mg for anxiety and lorazepam .5mg 3 to 4 times a day for anxiety. Psychiatrist told me to take it 3-4 a day as opposed to only when I needed it for panic attacks that my PCP recommended.
I was trying to find out about certain hearing problems but all the ones I found I did not see any symptoms that matched mine.
I am worried that it might be Acoustic Neuroma or a brain tumor.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Dec 03, 2003 12:00AM
, Dec 03, 2003 12:00AM
I am unaware the the paxil or the lorazepam that may be causing your symptoms.
If there is concern for acoustic neuroma, there are several tests that you may want to consider. Audiometry would be the best screening test, since only 5 percent of those with an acoustic neuroma would have a normal test.
The best imaging test would be an MRI. These tests should be discussed with your personal physician. An ENT consult would not be unreasonable at this point as well.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
If there is concern for acoustic neuroma, there are several tests that you may want to consider. Audiometry would be the best screening test, since only 5 percent of those with an acoustic neuroma would have a normal test.
The best imaging test would be an MRI. These tests should be discussed with your personal physician. An ENT consult would not be unreasonable at this point as well.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Forgot to report this but it turned out it was a outer ear infection and wax build up. The PA had to clean my ear out with a rod that a hurt somewhat(lol, she said tell me if this hurts) to be able to see in my ear. She gave me drops and about 5 days later it went away.