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.

[Fabri123]

Hi!! I'm Fabrizio Poletti from Paraguay, y had the same problem for years, went to a lot of ENT's, get a MRI and..NOTHING!! Everything is fine! My audition is normal and perfect.
Irecommend to everyone go to a pshychiatrist, I was diagnosed with social phobia and anxiety.
I never imagined having this, I was always '' normal '' until I appeared this problem

THE CURE
Was taking PAROXETINE who prescribed Psychiatrist, an antidepressant, I'm taking eight months ago and I can tell you I'm almost cured, distortions disappeared by 90%, treatment is one year

Les recomiendo vayan al Psiquiatra y le cuenten su historia, ya descartando cualquier problema fisiologico con los otorrinos por supuesto
Mucha suerte a todos!

Les recomiendo vayan al Psiquiatra y le cuenten su historia, ya descartando cualquier problema fisiologico con los otorrinos por supuesto
Mucha suerte a todos!

[losthighway32]

I had this problem a couple months ago. It was truly disturbing. I am 40, a nurse, never had problems.... then my left ear started "crackling" whenever water ran in the faucet, the car window was rolled down, a fan was blowing.... I had no idea how distressing it could be to have such an alteration/abnormality to one's hearing. Thank God it stopped over about a month or two. Depressing to hear ENTs have no useful input on what causes it... but not surprising. So much of "medicine" is ruling things out. Doctors do what they can... I am surprised something that produces such common and easily described symptoms isn't easily diagnosed at this point?! It felt kind of petty, but my experience was so distressing... Screwing with your senses is really kind of a torture....  I truly hope your problem resolves like mine did. Whatever ENTs have to say or not, there is hope.

[rjcalifornia]

I have the same crackling (blown speaker) sound as well but in my right ear. Every post one here I read all had the problem in their left ear. Some times it feels like it is swollen (that full of water feeling) and will clog and unclog as I talk or listen to music at certain levels. I have not seen my doctor for this issue yet but will post any info I find out if he gives me any.

[ZinZeta]

I noticed that you mentioned that it comes and goes.  So does mine.  I experience the distortion in my left ear.

One thing that is worth mentioning is that I experience the distortion more when I am sleepy or when I haven't had enough sleep.  When I am wide awake, this doesn't happen.  Please try to experiment with this as I am eager to know if I've figured out some kind of "remedy" for you and/or anyone else on here.

[ZinZeta]

Wow.  So sad now.  Thank you for the info, though.  Something told me this was incurable.

[Ginamama725]

New here, finally found others that have the same issue as me. I've been going on merry go rounds between ENT's & specialists, have had a CT scan, MRI, hearing tests, balance tests, everything with no answers, "you're normal" HA! No, my ear is not normal.  I am 29 and have first experienced it when I was 17. In my left ear (i'm left handed, I know someone mentioned that same ear, same hand possible connection).  My burning question is when we hear this happen, does it do any further damage? If it's happening when I'm talking loud, I stop, or if i'm hearing something loud, I turn it down or leave, I can't go to concerts, shooting ranges, I can't sing, I can't yell, if I know it's not doing any damage I can ignore it otherwise i'm convinced It's just making it worse. My hearing tests are all fine, even though I feel like my hearing could be better. Any answers out there yet?!