Ear and Head Problem - Strange

[mark0417]

Hello.  I have an odd problem I wanted to see if anyone on this board could help with.  My problem seems to be related to my ear and head.  I'll explain :)

For about 10 years now, I have had what I would describe as sensitivity to loud noises in my right ear.  It doesn't hurt, per se, around loud noises, it just feels like it "pops" and the noise becomes distorted.  In December I developed ringing in this ear as well.  It may or may not be worth noting that the ringing started right after I tapered off the SSRI Zoloft - but its been 3 months so I don't think the withdrawal could still be whats causing it.  I have also had a strange feeling of pressure and tingling in my head.  Its not local to any one place - sort of random and all over.  Sometimes, but not always, it turns into a headache.  Recently, the sensitivity to noise seems to have gotten worse - i.e. it takes less noise to cause the static-like sounds and popping.  My ear always feels sort of...."full"...for lack of a better word - and occasionally aches - but only a little.

I have been to an ENT, who, along with an Audiologist, found a small amount of high-frequency hearing loss in the ear with the issues.  This hearing loss is not noticeable to me.  He mentioned that the ringing could be caused by the hearing loss, and that the sensitivity to noise could be caused by the muscles in the ear not closing like they should.  I'm not sure that explains the head pressure and the full feeling in the ear.

I went to a Neurologist and had a CT scan done because of the pressure in the head, etc.  I am still waiting on the results of that.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be causiing this?  I'm sort of baffled......

Thanks!

Mark

[bobo143]

I'm 31 and for a month now all I hear is loud high pitch static in both ears and a non stop headache no one believes me I have been on any and all sinus and allergy meds and nose sprays nothing I go to a ent in a couple days I hope they help me and I hope you soon feel better too.. Now I know im not nuts

[mikespacl]

Hi cinde 56  I started feeling sick in December.  They admitted me to the hospital thinking i had a heart condition,  After a week of observations and blood and heart test they came to the conclusion that my heart was ok.  I have had a CT Scan, an MRI and they checked me for a thyroid problem. My problem with the thyroid test is I am not sure what they did.  I have a foggyness in my head, some vertigo, pain in my neck and back, my urine is a dark yellow and worst of all if I don't take my lorazepam I feel useless, I want to cry, panicky and don't want to live.  My doctor says ok you have vertigo and I believe I have some vertigo but there is something else causing this problem.  Do any of these conditons seem like a thyroid problem and i know one thyroid problem is hard to detect.  Any help would be greatly appreciated

[twintwo]

I have many of the symptoms you describe.  Have your EN&T test for Meniere's disease.  I was tested back in January, but do not have hearing loss, (indicator of Meniere's).  They haven't ruled Meniere's out  - I'm scheduled to have Full Vestibular Testing done at the U of W Medical center in April.  I've been scared to death that I have a brain tumor, or heart problems, because of my tipping / tilting vertigo and intense head pressure.  I get sharp pains in my jaw that have frightened me so bad and I have a constant ache from the middle of my neck down to my sternum that presents itself as a sensation similar to breathing in hot smoke or hot air.   Very scary, my ears crackle and pop all day long and the head/ear pressure is so intense.   I just saw a new doctor who ordered blood tests to check my thyroid hormone levels, TSH, T3 & T4 and Thyroid Antibodies.  The first 3 were within normal range but my Thyroid Antibodies were 2332.0 - should be between 0.0 - 35.0.  I'm almost off the chart! I think this outrageously high number means my immune system is trying to destroy my thyroid.  I've been on 2 thyroid hormones for 1.5 weeks, Cytomil 5mcg and Synthroid 25mcg. I still feel horrible and frightened because I've been feeling dizzy for many months since Sept of 07. I've had tinnitus in my left ear for more than 3 years that was up till Sept just annoying, but with all these added symptoms I'm just about to pass out from fear from how awful I feel.  I had a CT scan back in late Nov 07 when I was in the ER because I thought I was having a stroke - that's how vertigo diagnosis came up.  I've not yet had an MRI so I'm interested in what your MRI shows.

[Cindee56]

Definitely get it checked.  Wisdom teeth can be a real problem.  Good luck with it!

[mark0417]

I thought your teeth comment was interesting.  My jaw has been aching lately - I have a right rear wisdom tooth that, while its not impacted, just keeps growing and growing.  It is interesting that this is on the same side as the ear with issues.  I will add this to my list of things to get checked!  Thank you for your reply!

Mark

[Cindee56]

I'm not sure, but I get the full feeling in my ears a lot, and sometimes pain.  I have some problems with my cervical spine, herniated disks and arthritis and spinal stenosis.  Maybe you have these type of issues.  Also, don't forget to check your teeth.  I had bad ear pain and jaw pain and it was from two teeth that needed root canals.