Tinnitus and possible hyperacusis

[Internationalfarmer]

Hey guys, I've been having some issues with my ears and I'm trying to see if maybe someone here has any advice.

I've been suffering from tinnitus, ear pain and possibly hyperacusis (left ear only) for the past couple of months, I've been to a few ENT specialists but have yet to receive any answers (I'm assuming these guys arent really interested in my problem only in running more and more $$tests$$) . I've done all the hearing tests and they all came out fine. Now here's my story:

I have a problem with clogged ears, so about a year ago, I took it upon myself to buy an ear curette with a safety ring. So, a few months back I might have overused the curette and the next day my left ear felt clogged and painful almost like an ear infection. That passed, then I guess a week or two later I started getting these symptoms (ringing, occasional ear aches in both ears and whooshing or fluttering in my left ear. The whooshing happens when I'm speaking, others are speaking, pots or metal clanging together, etc.). I had definite wax impaction that was cleared by an ENT specialist but the symptoms persisted. Now, my ears are getting worse, I feel pain in them more frequently, constantly fatigued, have bad anxiety, the ringing is crazy and the fluttering happens even with soft sounds.

My basic questions are, is it possible that these symptoms could have arose from my being overzealous with the curette? Could these symptoms be a result of a scraped ear canal? And finally, is it possible that I could have damaged my tensor tympani by going too far into my ear canal? If that is possible, is there any chance of returning to normal or would the damage more than likely be done?

Sorry for the long post, but if anyone could help even answering one question, I'd be sooo greatly appreciative. It would mean so so much to me, Thanks!

Some more info: I'm a 21 year old musician who used to play loud and listen to headphones cranked up (but i doubt these are the prime causes even though normally i'd say of course), i have freakishly small ears (haha maybe I have less cilia to spare), a nailbiter, and have high anxiety. If any of that helps, thanks!

[Internationalfarmer]

thanks so much guys, I should be taking that MRI soon. I'll Let you know how it goes.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

or not

[hava]

By doing the following 2 exercises you will help your ear to recover.Do the exercises everyday and come back to report progress.You will also feel relaxed after this exercise and the extra oxygen going into the lungs will help the body to do repairs.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.
Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 15 times

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

Trust me, I would tell you if the tests were be done to open your wallet. Most folks would never admitt to it, but health care providers do tend to take pitty on those without insurance and try their best to stream line things.

Feel free to post your test results, and I will walk you through them if you would like.

[Internationalfarmer]

Hey, thanks for the quick reply. I understand the testing is necessary since my symptoms are subjective. I'm sorry if I came off with a chip on my shoulder. I have all the respect for these doctors and I would never question their abilities and knowledge. I'm just frustrated because some of the tests seemed superfluous. As I was taking them my symptoms were in full effect and I received no answers. Most of the tests came back negative and I was told my hearing was above average, when in reality, I knew that to be false. One test came back slightly abnormal (the one that monitors your brain waves while they play a broadband frequency sound with clicks). Again, I'm sorry if I offended you and came off as an a-hole. I'll be the first to say, I am completely ignorant to all of this. I have no insurance so I'm a little on edge about the cost of all these tests. You definitely hit the nail on the head and I will be going for an MRI w and w/o contrast very soon. Thank you for clearing up the curette question and for your suggestions. I really appreciate it.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

Very confusing post.  I doubt you could cause so many issues by curette. I do not care about your comment about needless testing....  It needs to be done in order to get to the bottom things. Hearing pathologies are usually not something that can be visualized. So that is what the tests are for. They are not just made up tests with no scientific backing, only to be utilized to generate money.

any ENT good would order such tests in order to rule out some possible issues.

any how, if I were working with you I would want

case history
Webber
tympanometry
acoustic reflexes
Audiometric pure tone air & bone with speech evaluation


Pending those results a possible OAE
Pedning all results an ABR
Pending all results an MRI with and without contrast

Yes a lot of testing, but in the world of audition there is no single one test that gives all the information regarding the auditory mechanism. Each test provides some information, the information is combined in order to form a diagnossis. Sometimes only a few tests are needed, sometimes every test is needed.